Herman is one of the earliest plums available, ripening in mid-late July. It is medium size, with a blue-black colour, yellow flesh - similar to its parent, Czar, but with a better eating flavour, and ripening earlier.
Herman is a free-stone plum - the stone falls away easily from the flesh.
Herman plum identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Herman
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.
Parents and other ancestors of this variety
- Czar (parent)
Visitor reviews
- 06 Jul 2022Precocious and heavy cropper. Excellent flavour. Sweet with some acidity and tannins. More grown-up/interesting flqvour than super market plums. Important to thin otherwise small fruits and less distinct taste.
- 05 Aug 2013 United KingdomDisagree with the above, by far the best flavoured early plum I've tasted fresh, nice and meaty in a crumble too. The only early plums that are tastier are the Japanese types (Methley etc) but bad pollination this season. Highly recommended as far as I'm concerned
- 29 Jul 2013 NORTH YORKSHIRE, United KingdomI bought a Herman plum as an alternative to Early Rivers which I also grow. Yes, it crops heavily, but the flavour is a big disappointment. A supermarket quality plum probably best used for cooking.
- 25 Jul 2013 BelgiumJust a rather ordinary plum flavor, sharp when picked early, but sweetening later. Holds well on the tree. You, don't really grow this variety for a special flavor, but for having plums in July. Quentin
Tree register
United Kingdom
- Alastair Robinson in Maidstone, KENT
- Alice Jones in
- Anja Britton in NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
- Billy Auger in Hopton Wafers, SHROPSHIRE
- Colin in Godalming, SURREY
- Jillian Tovey in Penrith, CUMBRIA
- Mark Pollatos in Tonbridge, KENT
- Ralph Weston in Aston Clinton, BUCKS
- Richard Borrie in York, YORKSHIRE
- Roy Stephenson in Shiremoor, Newcastle, TYNE AND WEAR
- Taahir in Rochdale, GREATER MANCHESTER
Belgium
- Quentin Groom in Tervuren, VLAAMS BRABANT
Poland
- Richard in Krakow,
Spring blossom records for this variety
2014 season
- 30th March 2014 - tree owned by Colin in Godalming, United Kingdom
2013 season
- 30th April 2013 - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
Origins
- Species: Prunus domestica - European plum
- Originates from: Sweden
- Introduced: 1970
- Developed by: SLU, Balsgard, Sweden
Identification
- Country of origin: Sweden
- Period of origin: 1950 - 1999
- Fruit colour: Purple
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
Using
- Picking season: Early
- Keeping (of fruit): 1-3 days
- Flavour quality: Good
- Flavour style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
- Cropping: Heavy
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Food uses: Culinary
- Picking period: mid-July
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 2
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Organic culture: Suitable
- Self-fertility: Self-fertile
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cold (< 20C / 67F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Average
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Herman plum trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Herman 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.