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Methley japanese plum trees

Methley
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  • Picking season: Early
  • Self-fertility: Self-fertile
  • Flowering group: 1

Methley is probably the most suitable of the Japanese-style plums for growing in the UK.

Japanese plums are much more widely grown around the world (including in Europe, but not the UK) and therefore available in supermarkets year-round, so you have probably come across Methley or similar varieties.

Like many Japanese plums, Methley has a dark red flesh. The flavour is milder than most European plums. It ripens in mid-July in southern England.

Methley japanese plum trees for sale

Bare-root

  • BR11-year bare-root tree Wavit rootstock £41.50
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
    Please try next season
  • BR21-year bare-root tree St. Julien rootstock £41.50
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
    Please try next season
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Delivery charges

Delivery for a single tree starts at £9.95, it is calculated based on your postcode.

Growing and Training

Methley is potentially a heavy cropper. However, it flowers very early in the spring - in early March, which is well before European plum varieties, and this can put the blossom at risk from frosts or bad weather. For this reason it is best grown in a sheltered location with a warm south-facing aspect. The blossom is more abundant than with European varieties, and this adds some ornamental interest.

Methley is considered self-fertile, although in UK conditions it may only be partially self-fertile. It can cross-pollinate with other early-flowering cherry-plum varieties such as Countess.

History

Although generally considered a Japanese-style plum, Methley is actually a hybrid of Prunus salicina (the Japanese plum) and Prunus cerasifera (the cherry plum). It was found in the 1920s in South Africa.


Methley characteristics

Growing

  • Gardening skillAverage
  • Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
  • Flowering group1
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesWarm climates

Using

  • Picking seasonEarly
  • CroppingHeavy
  • Keeping (of fruit)1 week
  • Food usesEating fresh

Identification

  • Country of originSouth Africa
  • Period of origin1900 - 1949
  • Blossom colourWhite
  • Fruit colourPurple - light
  • Flesh colourDark red

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When you buy your fruit tree from Orange Pippin Fruit Trees we guarantee it for the first season in your garden whilst it gets established. If it doesn't grow successfully, we'll either replace it the following season or offer a refund - subject to some conditions. Find out more.

This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 2022.