Plum 'Rivers' Early Prolific' 'Rivers Early Prolific'

An old English variety raised in Sawbridgeworth in the 1830s, 'Rivers' Early Prolific' remains a favourite for its early harvest and versatility. The fruit is small to medium-sized, round-oval, with a dark purple, almost black skin. The flesh is yellow, juicy, and has a brisk, sharp flavour that mellows into sweetness as it fully matures. It is equally good for culinary use—making excellent jams—or for eating fresh. As the name suggests, it is a very heavy cropper and ripens as early as late July. The tree is compact and hardy, making it suitable for smaller gardens or colder regions of the UK. It is partially self-fertile but produces better crops with a pollinator. Its blossoms are white and appear in mid-spring. It is remarkably resilient and can tolerate less-than-perfect soil conditions.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Moist, well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: Apr.