These fruits prefer a good fertile soil with lime, potash and nitrogen and do not like being exposed to cold winds. Frost pockets should be avoided if possible.

Their pollination is usually determined by flowering time, (see number before name) although quite a few are self-fertile, and varieties in the same, or next, pollination group will usually cross-pollinate.

The numbers before the name represent flowering time. Varieties are listed in order of ripening, although this can vary according to garden conditions.

Most are grown on semi-dwarf St Julian A rootstock. When trained on a wall, fruiting will be earlier and it will pay to protect blossom with fleece when frost is forecast.

With walls, plants can suffer from lack of water which results in partial or TOTAL loss of crop and considerable loss of quality.

Plum trees in pots will need protecting in winter to prevent bacterial canker.