Opal

Prunus domestica

Opal has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit

Opal is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators

Opal is probably the best-flavored early plum variety - indeed it is sometimes called a gage-like plum thanks to the excellence of its flavor. However the flavor depends crucially on developing sugars during the short growing period, and in northern gardens Opal really benefits from being grown in a sunny aspect. In less favourable situations it will still give good crops but with a less intense flavor.

The fruit is medium-sized, colored dusky red with a heavy bloom, becoming blue when overripe. The plums ripen over a period of about 1-2 weeks, so you don't have to deal with a glut. The flesh is straw-yellow and fairly juicy. Opal is a free-stone plum - the stone falls away easily from the flesh. If picked on a warm July day and placed in a fruit bowl Opal also has a wonderful aroma. This primarily a plum to eat fresh, but it is also useful for jams and fruit crumbles.

We recommend Opal because it is easy to grow in a variety of climates and provides good quality plums early in the season.

Opal plum trees for sale

RF12-year bare-root tree on VVA-1 rootstock£49.75
Mature height: 2m-3.5m after 10 years
Will become a medium-sized bush-trained semi-dwarf fruit tree, will require permanent staking, but won't need much space
Available next season
RF21-year bare-root tree on Weiwa rootstock£43.75
Mature height: 3m-5m after 10 years
Can be trained on to become a large free-standing fruit tree, or a half-standard fruit tree, or a large fan-trained fruit tree.
Available next season
RF31-year bare-root tree on St. Julien rootstock£38.75
Mature height: 3m-5m after 10 years
Can be trained on as a large bush-trained tree or a half-standard tree, no staking required once estalished. Also suitable as a large fan-trained tree.
Available next season
RF42-year bare-root tree on St. Julien rootstock£47.50
Mature height: 3m-5m after 10 years
Will become a large vase-shaped fruit tree, no staking required once established.
Available next season
RF52-year half-standard bare-root tree on St. Julien rootstock£51.00
Mature height: 3m-5m after 10 years
Can be trained on as a large free-standing half-standard tree.
Available next season
RF61-year bare-root tree on Brompton rootstock£41.25
Mature height: 5m-7m after 10 years
Can be trained on as a 'standard' fruit tree, no staking required, suitable for a traditional plum orchard.
Available next season

Growing and Training

Opal is very easy to grow, and crops reliably, so it is a good choice for almost any situation. However to really develop its flavour potential there are two simple things to consider. Firstly, it re-pays planting in a good sunny aspect. Growing as a fan along a south-facing wall will get the best results.

Secondly, Opal has the potential to produce a heavy crop, and in a good spring it is likely that too much of the blossom will set fruit. This will lead to a very large crop of very small plums which will lack flavour. If this seems to be happening, thin the fruitlets towards the end of May so that there is one plum per cluster, with about 2" / 5cm or so between each plum. Thinning plums is a tedious business, but you won't regret it as the ones left will be bigger and with better flavour.

Opal is a very winter hardy tree and a good choice for all areas of the UK.

Recommended pollinators for Opal plum trees

Opal is self-fertile, so you do not need another variety to pollinate it to produce fruit. However you are likely to get a better crop if you plant any of the following pollinator varieties nearby. If you are not sure about pollination requirements don't hesitate to ask us. More pollinators >