If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping outside and picking a perfectly ripe plum from your own tree, you’re not alone. Plum trees are a brilliant choice for UK gardens – compact, productive, and bursting with flavour. At Kings, we currently have two varieties in stock that are well worth considering: the classic Victoria plum tree and the newer Jubilee plum.
Here’s how they compare:
Victoria Plum: A British Favourite
The Victoria plum is one of the most popular fruit trees in the UK – and for good reason. It’s reliable, self-fertile (meaning you only need one tree), and produces a heavy crop of reddish-yellow fruits with sweet, juicy flesh. Perfect for eating fresh, cooking, or making jam, it’s ideal for gardeners who want a fuss-free, productive tree.
It fruits mid to late summer and is well suited to most garden sizes. It also performs well in containers.
Jubilee Plum: A Juicy New Contender
The Jubilee plum is a newer variety that’s catching a lot of attention. It’s also self-fertile and easy to grow, but the fruit ripens earlier than Victoria and tends to be larger. The flavour is excellent – sweet and well-balanced – and the tree itself has a strong, upright habit, which makes it a good choice for smaller spaces.
Jubilee is a great option if you want to enjoy fresh plums a little earlier in the season, or if you already grow a Victoria and want to extend your harvest window.
Which Should You Choose?
- Go for Victoria if you want a tried-and-tested all-rounder
- Choose Jubilee if you fancy something a little earlier and a touch different
- Or plant both and enjoy plums for longer!
| Feature | Victoria Plum | Jubilee Plum |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit timing | Mid to late summer | Early to mid-summer |
| Fruit size | Medium | Larger |
| Flavour | Sweet and juicy | Sweet with a touch more acidity |
| Growth habit | Spreading | Upright |
| Self-fertile | Yes | Yes |
| Good for | Eating, cooking, jam | Eating fresh, early harvests |
Both varieties are grown in the UK by Frank P Matthews, one of the country’s most trusted tree growers. You’ll find them in stock now at our garden centres in Exmouth and Sidmouth.