Page 27 - ALG Issue 3 2022

Miniature
plum trees
Plum trees are easily grown with some basic knowledge. Make sure you choose a space saving column tree, or a dwarfing bush rootstock such as Pixy.
Victoria is a common favourite, and the flavour remains hard to match. In good years, the tree branches can get weighted down with the abundance of crop, but it is a bit hot and cold and there will be barren years.
Jubilee is impervious to cold, self-fertile and the crops are pretty impressive - so is the quality. The flavour will not disappoint, and you can eat it from early August. Jubilee suits dessert or cooking.
Czar is an oldie that many folks hold dear. Earlier than Victoria or Jubilee, it is reliably self- pollinating and excels at cooking, but you can still eat it fresh once it is properly ripe. Czar is hardy & productive.
Violetta is another newie worth mentioning.
A beautiful oval purple plum with a succulent golden flesh, it is one to consider. It fruits quite early, from late July and is super-hardy.
Dwarf
pears
Concorde is a great pear tree, and it is quite compact so combine this with a dwarfing rootstock & you have
a great little tree. Concorde is self-fertile and has an excellent sweet taste; easy to grow, ripens from late September.
Williams Pears are absolutely delicious and this variety does well as a dwarf tree, but it will need pollinating with a Concorde or Conference.
Allotment and Leisure Gardener 27