Thompson & Morgan Hardy Plum Fruit Tree ‘Victoria’ Semi-Dwarf Variety, Self-Fertile Potted Garden Plant, Highly Attractive to Pollinators, High Yielding Ideal for Kitchen Gardens

• Fruit Plum Tree Victoria is Britain’s best known plum and undoubtedly the nation’s favourite.
• A reliable British bred garden variety, the crops from this fruit tree are ideal for culinary and dessert use.
• Plum Victoria also helps out gardeners by being self-fertile and highly attractive to pollinators.
• Potted garden plant; Supplied as 1 x Plum Fruit Tree Victoria plant in a 4.5L pot.

Britain’s best known plum and undoubtedly the nation’s favourite. This reliable British garden variety produces heavy crops of medium sized fruits that are ideal for both culinary and dessert use. ‘Victoria’ plums make delicious pies and jams, or eat them straight from the tree in late August. This variety is self-fertile and does not require a pollination partner. Plant plum trees in any well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny position. Prior to planting, incorporate plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost into the planting hole and drive the stake into the ground to support the tree. Staking after planting may result in damage to the root ball. Plant fruit trees at their original soil level and firm them into the ground. Fasten the tree to the stake using a tree tie, and water well. Fruit trees do not suffer weed competition well. Keep weeds and grass clear from within a 30cm radius of the base of the tree. In spring, while the ground is moist, apply a mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the base of the tree, taking care not to mound it up against the stem. This will help to retain moisture throughout the summer. Feed and water plum trees during particularly dry periods. Care should be taken when pruning plum trees to avoid winter pruning as this leaves plums prone to silver leaf disease. In the first spring after planting, select 3 or 4 well-spaced branches on a clear trunk of at least 75cm (29”), and shorten them by two thirds. Remove the central stem to just above the highest of the selected branches. Remove any laterals below the selected branches. In the following spring, select 2 or 3 sub laterals on each branch and shorten these by half to create a balanced, open framework. Remove any weak or badly placed shoots completely. Plums will require pruning in late spring to remove damaged, badly placed or diseased wood. Thin heavy crops when the fruits reach the size of hazelnuts to prevent them snapping under their weight.