Prunus d. 'Victoria'

Planting Conditions and Ideal Location

• Light Requirements: ‘Victoria’ plum trees thrive in full sun, which helps produce the sweetest, juiciest fruits.

• Soil Preferences: Grow in fertile, well-drained soil—loam or sandy loam is ideal. Avoid waterlogged sites which can cause root problems.

• pH Range: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 6.0–7.0).

• Moisture Needs: Needs consistent moisture, especially in the first few years and during fruit development. Avoid prolonged dryness during summer.

• Planting Time: Best planted in late autumn to early spring while dormant, avoiding frozen or waterlogged ground.

• Spacing: Space standard trees 4–5 metres apart; for dwarf or patio forms, allow 2–3 metres.

• Pollination: Self-fertile, so it will produce fruit on its own, but yields improve if grown near another compatible plum variety.

• Positioning Tips: Ideal for orchards, large gardens, or trained as a fan against a sunny wall in smaller spaces.

Routine Care, Feeding, and Seasonal Maintenance

• Watering:

  • Water regularly in the first 2–3 years until established.

  • During dry spells in summer, water deeply once a week, especially while fruit is swelling.

• Feeding: In early spring, apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer or well-rotted manure to encourage healthy growth and heavy cropping.

• Mulching: Mulch around the base with compost, bark chips, or well-rotted manure to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Keep mulch away from direct contact with the trunk.

• Pruning:

  • Best pruned in late spring or summer (not winter) to avoid silver leaf disease.

  • Remove crossing, damaged, or diseased wood, and thin branches to allow light into the canopy.

  • For trained forms (fans or cordons), prune to maintain shape and encourage fruiting spurs.

• Thinning Fruit: If the crop is heavy, thin developing fruits in early summer to prevent branches breaking and improve fruit quality.

• Pest and Disease Management: Monitor for aphids, plum moth, plum sawfly, and brown rot. Use organic sprays and remove any infected fruit promptly.

• Winter Care: Hardy and suitable for UK climates. In exposed locations, protect young trees from wind damage with stakes until established.

Fruit, Harvesting, and Garden Value

• Fruit Description: ‘Victoria’ plums are medium to large, oval-shaped, with yellow flesh and a red to purple skin when ripe. Sweet, juicy, and full-flavoured.

• Flowering Time: Produces delicate white blossom in spring, attractive to bees and other pollinators.

• Harvest Time: Typically ready for picking from late August to early September. Fruits can be eaten straight from the tree or used in cooking.

• Uses:

  • Delicious eaten fresh.

  • Ideal for jams, chutneys, pies, crumbles, and desserts.

  • Can be frozen or preserved for winter use.

• Storage: Best eaten soon after picking for maximum flavour, but will keep in a cool place for up to a week.

• Yield: Heavy cropping, often producing more fruit than a single household can use—making it perfect for sharing or preserving.

• Ornamental Value: Attractive blossom in spring, lush green foliage in summer, and abundant colourful fruits in late summer.

• Wildlife Benefits: Blossom provides early nectar for pollinators; windfalls can feed birds and insects in autumn.

• Garden Design Uses:

  • Works well as a stand-alone fruit tree in a lawn.

  • Can be integrated into edible landscaping or orchard plantings.

  • Trained forms can be used decoratively along walls or fences.