- See also:
- Japanese plums6
European plums
European plums are renowned for their rich flavors, and versatility for eating fresh or cooking.
Bluebyrd
A late-season disease-resistant European plum with a dark blue skin and a sweet flavor.- Picking season: Late
- Gardening skill: Average
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Pollination group: 3
Count Althan's Gage
Best seller
Count Althann's Gage, also known as Reine Claude Conducta, a true gage but with a richer and more plum-like flavor than other gages.- Picking season: Late
- Gardening skill: Average
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Pollination group: 4
Geneva MirabelleTM
An American mirabelle, similar in style to the traditional French mirabelles.- Picking season: Mid
- Gardening skill: Average
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Pollination group: 3
Old Green Gage
The definitive gage - Old Green Gage is arguably the best-flavored of any plum variety.- Picking season: Late
- Gardening skill: Experienced
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Pollination group: 3
President
A late-season English dual-purpose plum, notable for heavy crops of large plums.- Picking season: Late
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Pollination group: 3
Rosy GageTM
Rosy Gage is a sweet-flavored European-style plum ripening in late August.- Picking season: Mid
- Gardening skill: Average
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Pollination group: 3
Victoria
Victoria is a self-fertile English plum - attractive fruit, good for eating, and outstanding flavor for cooking.- Picking season: Mid
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Self-fertility: Self-fertile
- Pollination group: 3
How to choose European plums
European plums are well suited to temperate climates, being hardier than the Japanese varieties and flowering later.
Although European plums do not store particularly well, the fruit usually ripens over a 1-2 week period, during which time the tree can be picked daily to ensure a steady supply of fruit.
Many European plums have excellent rich sweet flavors, amongst the best of any temperate fruit species. However they are also ideal for all kinds of culinary uses.