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best plum tree to plant

Wondering which is the best plum tree to plant in your New Zealand garden? Plum trees are a fantastic choice for both beginner and seasoned gardeners, offering delicious fruit and attractive foliage. Choosing the right variety depends on your climate, space, and personal taste preferences. Whether you want juicy red plums for eating fresh, sweet golden fruit for bottling, or a reliable tree that thrives with minimal care, we’re here to help you discover the best plum tree to plant for your needs.

Plum 'Greengage' fruit.

Plum 'Greengage'

The ‘Greengage’ plum tree is a heritage variety prized for its lovely, green-skinned fruit with golden flesh. Renowned for its rich, honeyed flavour, it’s perfect for fresh eating, preserves, and desserts. Growing 3–4 metres tall, it performs best in full sun and well-drained soil. This deciduous fruit tree requires another variety of plum, such as 'Black Doris' or 'Luisa', planted nearby to produce good fruit yields. Ideal for home orchards, ‘Greengage’ is a reliable and rewarding addition to any New Zealand garden.

From $295.19

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Fruit Trees
Height: 5.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
plum-hawera-

Plum Hawera

Hawera plum trees produce sweet, juicy fruit prized for its excellent flavour and reliable yield. Perfect for New Zealand gardens and orchards, these trees are easy to grow and provide abundant harvests, making them popular among home gardeners and commercial growers alike.

From $432.79

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Fruit Trees
Height: 5.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Modern
Plum 'Greengage' fruit.

Plum 'Greengage'

The ‘Greengage’ plum tree is a heritage variety prized for its lovely, green-skinned fruit with golden flesh. Renowned for its rich, honeyed flavour...

From$295.19
plum-satsuma-

Plum Satsuma

Plum Satsuma produces mid-sized, dark red skinned fruit with red flesh that is sweet and juicy. White blossoms adorn the tree in spring and give rise...

From$343.89
plum-billington-

Plum Billington

Billington plum trees produce sweet, juicy fruit that ripens early in the season, making them ideal for New Zealand gardens and orchards. These trees...

Black Doris' plums.

Plum Black Doris

The 'Black Doris' Plum is a popular variety that produces large and firm, purple-black fruit. The flesh is dark red, sweet, and juicy. White blossoms...

Luisa' plum tree covered in yellow fruit.

Plum 'Luisa'

The 'Luisa' Plum is a popular variety that produces good yields of large, yellow-skinned fruit, blushed with red. The flesh is firm, yellow, sweet...

From$432.79
plum-omega-1

Plum Omega

'Omega' Plum Tree is a popular fruiting tree valued for its delicious sweet dark red plums and reliable performance in New Zealand gardens. Flowering...

From$343.89
Loropetalum 'Plum Gorgeous' with beautiful purple foliage growing out across a deck.

Loropetalum 'Plum Gorgeous'

Loropetalum 'Plum Gorgeous' produces fragrant, spider-like, dark pink flowers during spring and autumn, which are both unusual and appealing. The...

From$28.28
Spectacular Loropetalum 'Plum Delight' dark purple foliage.

Loropetalum 'Plum Delight'

Loropetalum 'Plum Delight' features spectacularly coloured flowers and foliage. It produces mildly fragrant, pink flowers from winter to spring...

From$28.28
Stromanthe triostar plant.

Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant)

Stromanthe Triostar is a popular indoor plant owing to its lush and colourful foliage. It features elegant, dark green, pink, and cream-coloured...

From$32.33
magnolia-liliiflora-nigra-1

Magnolia liliiflora Nigra (Magnolia Tree Nigra)

Magnolia liliiflora Nigra, commonly known as Black Lily, is a stunning tree that bears masses of large and showy, purple flowers from late winter...

From$343.89
cedrela-sinensis-flamingo-7

Cedrela sinensis Flamingo (Toon Tree)

Cedrela sinensis Flamingo is a highly colourful, deciduous tree featuring bright, salmon-pink foliage in spring which ages to cream-yellow, and then...

From$28.28
sequoiadendron-giganteum-

Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sequoia gigantea Tree)

Sequoiadendron giganteum, commonly known as the Giant Redwood, is a large, evergreen tree and aptly named for its red coloured wood. It features...

From$299.92
coprosma-repens-plum-hussey--1

Coprosma Plum Hussey (Mirror Bush)

Coprosma Plum Hussey, commonly known as Mirror Bush or Mirror Plant, features glossy foliage that is an intense purple colour with a dark green...

From$24.98
sorbus-scarlet-king-

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King (Rowan Tree NZ)

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King is a variety of the commonly known, Mountain Ash, and is a small-sized, deciduous with impressive characteristics...

Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu) tree juvenile foliage.

Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu Tree)

Dacrydium cupressinum, commonly known as Rimu or Red Pine, is an iconic and slow-growing tree. The juvenile form features drooping branches densely...

From$97.13
magnolia-deryk-2

Magnolia Deryk (Magnolia Tree Deryk)

Magnolia Deryk is a deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, dark red-purple flowers from late winter until early spring. The flowers are...

From$343.89
magnolia-strawberry-fields-1

Magnolia Strawberry Fields (Strawberry Fields Magnolia Tree)

Magnolia Strawberry Fields is a stunning deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, semi-double, deep red flowers through late winter and...

From$432.79
crassula-ovata-

Crassula ovata (Money Tree)

Crassula ovata is a versatile plant ideal for New Zealand gardens, offering unique features and easy care.

From$28.28
magnolia-margaret-helen-

Magnolia Margaret Helen (Magnolia Tree Margaret Helen)

Magnolia Margaret Helen is a deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, rose-pink flowers through late winter and early spring. These are...

From$343.89
magnolia-amethyst-flame-2

Magnolia Amethyst Flame (Amethyst Flame Magnolia Tree)

Magnolia Amethyst Flame is a smaller tree that bears masses of large and showy, bright red-purple flowers in late winter and early spring on the...

Melia azedarach tree.

Melia azedarach (Bead Tree)

Melia azedarach, commonly known as Bead Tree, White Cedar or Persian Lilac, is a fast-growing deciduous tree admired for its feathery foliage and...

From$343.89
Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' trees with yellow foliage in autumn.

Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' (Tulip Tree)

Liriodendron tulipifera fastigiata, also known as the Upright Tulip Tree, is a stunning deciduous tree admired for its narrow, columnar form. It...

From$432.79
chiranthodendron-pentadactylon-2

Chiranthodendron pentadactylon (Monkeys Hand Tree)

Commonly known as the Monkeys Hand Tree, this is an evergreen tree grown for its flowers and stature. Amidst the lush, green foliage are borne showy...

From$146.79
schefflera-arboricola-

Schefflera arboricola (Dwarf Umbrella Tree)

The Schefflera arboricola plant, commonly known as the Dwarf Umbrella Tree, is an evergreen shrub commonly grown as a houseplant. The foliage is mid...

From$26.93
Lagerstroemia 'Best Red' red flowers amidst dark purple foliage.

Lagerstroemia 'Best Red'

Lagerstroemia ‘Best Red’ is a standout crepe myrtle prized for its intense red summer flowers and strong upright tree form. Flowering through the...

From$358.98
aechmea-fasciata-

Aechmea fasciata (Urn Plant)

Aechmea fasciata is a colourful Bromeliad that features thick and leathery leaves that are striped with silver and dark green. They are borne as a...

ulmus-lobel-

Ulmus Lobel (Dutch Elm Tree)

Ulmus Lobel is a variety of Dutch Elm tree grown for its colourful foliage and narrow form. The leaves emerge a fresh green colour in spring, age to...

From$343.89
helichrysum-petiolare--3

Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant)

Helichrysum petiolare, commonly known as the Licorice plant, is a popular, evergreen shrub that is often used as a groundcover. It produces long...

From$24.23
Fuchsia arborescens tree with pink flowers and lush green foliage.

Fuchsia arborescens (Tree Fuchsia)

Fuchsia arborescens is an evergreen shrub favoured for its pretty flowers, which are produced almost year-round. Large and showy clusters of...

From$22.28
cassia-corymbosa-john-ball-1

Cassia John Ball (Buttercup Tree)

Cassia John Ball, commonly known as the Buttercup Tree or Cassia Plant, is a large and colourful, deciduous shrub. It becomes enshrined by masses of...

From$24.23
Plum 'Greengage'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Aechmea, Cassia, Cedrela, Chiranthodendron, Coprosma, Crassula, Dacrydium, Fuchsia, Helichrysum, Lagerstroemia, Liriodendron, Loropetalum, Magnolia, Melia, Plum, Schefflera, Sequoiadendron, Sorbus Stromanthe and Ulmus, or related Categories - Plum Trees, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Perennials, Deciduous Shrubs, Evergreen Shrubs, Succulents, Deciduous Trees Evergreen Trees and Magnolia Trees.

Search best plum tree to plant

Popular Varieties for New Zealand Gardens

When searching for the best plum tree to plant, it pays to know which varieties perform well in our Kiwi climate. Here’s a roundup of favourites:

Plum Santa Rosa

A top contender for the best plum tree to plant, the Plum Santa Rosa is renowned for its exceptional flavour and versatility. Its crimson-red skin and sweet, juicy flesh make it a hit for home orchards. Santa Rosa plums also have a strong resistance to disease and are partially self-fertile, meaning you can enjoy fruit even without another tree nearby. This makes it ideal for smaller gardens.

Plum Satsuma

The Plum Satsuma is prized for its deep red flesh and rich taste. It’s one of the best plum trees to plant if you love plums for fresh eating, jams, or desserts. Satsuma plums ripen early and are reliable producers, making them a favourite among New Zealand gardeners.

Plum Hawera

If you need a tree that handles cooler climates, the Plum Hawera is an excellent option. This New Zealand-bred variety produces attractive red-skinned fruit with yellow flesh. It’s well suited to southern regions and is known for its consistent cropping and adaptability.

Plum 'Greengage'

For those seeking a unique flavour profile, the Plum 'Greengage' is a must-try. Its greenish-golden fruit offers a delectable sweet taste with subtle tartness. This heritage variety is perfect for culinary uses and preserves, and grows beautifully across much of New Zealand.

Plum Billington

The Plum Billington is one of the earliest plums to ripen, making it a great choice for those looking for a fast harvest. This tree bears bright red fruit with juicy flesh and is well-suited for fresh snacking and cooking. Billington’s reliable performance and early crop make it a standout for local gardens.

Choosing the Best Plum Tree to Plant: Tips for Success

To select the best plum tree to plant, consider your local climate, space, and desired fruit-use. Most plums benefit from cross-pollination, so planting more than one variety can improve your yield. Ensure your tree receives plenty of sunlight, well-drained soil, and regular watering in the first year after planting. With the right care, any of these plum varieties will reward you with bountiful harvests and gorgeous spring blossoms.

Explore our range and discover the best plum tree to plant in your garden today, and enjoy the sweet rewards for years to come.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Everyone knows classic varieties like Aesculus Briotii and Apodasmia similis (Oi Oi), but you might just fall in love with Cerastium tomentosum, Spathiphyllum 'Domino' (Peace Lily), and Quercus suber.
–The Plant Company

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