President plum
President is a large blue/purple plum raised at the start of the 20th century by the Rivers Nursery, in Hertfordshire, England. It's is notable for its very large size, and for a long-time was one of the latest-ripening plums, providing fresh fruit at a time when most other plums were finished. This and its versatility for eating fresh or culinary use meant that it rapidly became popular, and is found in many old gardens and orchards throughout England.
The tree grows with a distinct upright compact shape, and is quite vigorous. Another notable feature is that the wood is quite brittle and coupled with its tendency to produce heavy crops means that branches can easily snap under the weight of fruit.
President plum identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for President
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Visitor reviews
- 16 Feb 2015 MarySOUTH AUSTRALIA, AustraliaLove the taste and texture. Almost crisp to start with and sour and tangy!
- 09 May 2013 Steve RowbottomNOTTINGHAM, United Kingdomplanted in my garden spring 2012
- 27 Aug 2011 Geoff LeesleyUNITED KINGDOM, United KingdomThe finest tasting plum I have ever tasted without doubt
Tree register
United Kingdom
- Jacqueline Lawrence in Milford Haven, PEMBROKESHIRE
- Jason Gunter in Bridgend,
- Michaela Weller in Wickford, ESSEX
- Nathan Scullion in Boston, LINCOLNSHIRE
- Victoria Birkett in Aberdeen, SCOTLAND
- Warren in Glasgow, STRATHCLYDE
Japan
- Caleb Fuller in Yoshitomi-Machi, FUKUOKA
Poland
- Richard in Krakow,
Origins
- Species: Prunus domestica - European plum
- Originates from: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1901
- Developed by: Rivers Nursery
Identification
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Period of origin: 1850 - 1899
- Fruit colour: Purple
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Popularity: Rarely grown
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
Using
- Picking season: Late
- Keeping (of fruit): 1 week
- Flavour quality: Good
- Cropping: Heavy
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Food uses: Culinary
- Food uses: Drying
- Picking period: mid-September
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 3
- Pollinating others: Average
- Vigour: Slightly large
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Growth habit: Upright
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Average
- Plum pox virus / Sharka: Some resistance
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer President plum trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA) United States
President plum trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
No orchards have registered as growing this variety. If you grow this and want to register please go to our Orchard Registration form.