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what is the best plum tree to buy

If you’re searching for what is the best plum tree to buy for your garden or orchard, you’re not alone. Plums are among the most rewarding fruit trees you can grow in New Zealand, providing an abundant harvest, beautiful spring blossoms, and the joy of home-grown fruit for eating fresh, preserving, or baking. The best plum tree to buy depends on your climate, available space, and flavour preferences, but there are tried-and-true favourites that stand out for their reliability, productivity, and taste.

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Plum Hawera

The 'Hawera' Plum Tree is a productive deciduous fruit tree grown for its reliable crops of delicious plums and attractive spring blossom. It is well suited to New Zealand conditions and makes an excellent addition to home orchards and edible gardens.

From $404.59

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Fruit Trees
Height: 4.00 m
Spread: 4.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Modern
prunus-thundercloud-4

Prunus 'Thundercloud'

Prunus 'Thundercloud' is a striking ornamental plum tree admired for its rich purple foliage and masses of soft pink flowers during spring. This deciduous tree creates dramatic contrast in New Zealand gardens with its dark leaves providing colour throughout the growing season.

From $349.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 6.00 m
Spread: 5.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, 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$340.69
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Plum 'Santa Rosa'

The 'Santa Rosa' Plum is a popular deciduous fruit tree renowned for its attractive spring blossom and heavy crops of juicy, sweet flavoured plums...

From$404.59
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Plum 'Billington'

Plum 'Billington' adds distinctive interest to NZ planting. This medium sized plum tree grows 3-4 metres tall with a sturdy branching habit. It...

From$425.89
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Coprosma 'Plum Hussey'

Coprosma 'Plum Hussey' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its rich plum purple foliage and naturally dense growth habit. This colourful New...

From$17.95
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...

From$404.59
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$404.59
Loropetalum 'Plum Gorgeous' with beautiful purple foliage growing out across a deck.
Loropetalum 'Plum Gorgeous'

Loropetalum 'Plum Gorgeous' is a colourful evergreen shrub prized for its rich plum purple foliage and masses of vibrant pink fringe flowers from...

From$28.91
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$28.91
Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai) juvenile tree growing as a specimen in a park.
Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai)

Prumnopitys taxifolia, commonly known as Matai or Black Pine, is a stately, NZ native tree with quite different juvenile and adult forms. The...

From$309.51
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$99.29
A fantastic Titoki tree (Alectryon excelsus) growing as a speciment tree in an urban park.
Alectryon excelsus

Alectryon excelsus, commonly known as the Titoki tree, is a handsome New Zealand native tree valued for its lush, glossy foliage and tidy, rounded...

From$14.95
Melia azedarach tree.
Melia azedarach (Bead Tree)

Melia azedarach (Bead Tree, White Cedar) is a graceful deciduous tree valued for its attractive fern like foliage, fragrant clusters of lilac...

From$387.55
A large Beilschmiedia tawa (Tawa tree).
Beilschmiedia tawa (Tawa Tree)

Beilschmiedia tawa, commonly known as the Tawa Tree, is a tall and graceful evergreen native to New Zealand. It is admired for its straight trunk...

From$313.00
ulmus-lobel-
Ulmus 'Lobel' (Dutch Elm Tree)

Ulmus 'Lobel' is a refined deciduous elm valued for its narrow upright form, dense green foliage, and excellent suitability as an avenue or specimen...

From$557.95
cedrela-sinensis-flamingo-7
Cedrela sinensis 'Flamingo' (Toon Tree)

Cedrela sinensis 'Flamingo' (Toon Tree) is a spectacular deciduous tree prized for its striking flushes of vibrant pink foliage that mature through...

From$270.40
Metrosideros excelsa (Pohutukawa) specimen tree with masses of red flowers in a coastal location.
Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa)

Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as Pōhutukawa or the New Zealand Christmas Tree, is a coastal evergreen renowned for its brilliant red flowers...

From$30.29
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$515.35
A large Metrosideros 'Maori Princess' trees in an avenue with masses of red flowers.
Metrosideros 'Maori Princess'

Metrosideros 'Maori Princess' is a stunning cultivar of the NZ Christmas tree (Pohutukawa) and is renowned for its brilliant crimson-red flowers and...

From$30.29
Cordyline australis trees growing as a cluster.
Cordyline australis

Cordyline australis, also known as the Cabbage Tree or tī kōuka, is a hardy and iconic New Zealand native. It features long, sword-like green leaves...

From$16.49
Orange 'Best Seedless' orange fruit with orange flesh.
Orange 'Best Seedless'

The 'Best Seedless' Orange is a superb variety prized for its deliciously sweet, seedless fruit and easy-to-peel skin. Perfect for New Zealand...

From$369.95
pb-28-planter-bags-
PB28 Planter Bags (Christmas Tree Bag)

PB28 Planter Bags are a durable and economical option for growing large trees, shrubs, fruit plants, natives, and other mature nursery stock. Their...

From$130.50
pb-60-planter-bags-
PB60 Planter Bags (Bag For Xmas Tree)

PB60 Planter Bags are a strong and practical option for growing large trees, shrubs, fruit plants, natives, and advanced nursery stock. Their...

From$169.50
palm-tree-fertiliser-1
Palm Tree Fertiliser

Choosing the correct Palm tree fertiliser is essential for producing better quality foliage, stronger fronds, and a much healthier and brighter...

From$16.95
fruiting-plant-fertiliser-
Fruit Tree Fertiliser

Fruit Tree Fertiliser is specially formulated to support healthy growth, strong root development, and productive fruiting in a wide range of fruit...

From$16.95
jute-tree-tie-1
Jute Tree Tie

Jute Tree Tie is a natural and flexible option for securing young trees to stakes while they establish. The soft material helps reduce rubbing and...

From$64.67
tree-and-shrub-fertiliser-
Tree Fertiliser

Using tree fertiliser results in plants having better quality foliage, more profuse flowering, stronger stems, and a much healthier and brighter...

From$16.95
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Cloth Tree Tie

Cloth Tree Ties are a soft, flexible solution for securely supporting young trees and plants while they establish. Made from durable cloth material...

From$9.28
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Tree Guards

Tree Guards provide a simple and effective way to protect young trees from animals, wind, accidental damage, and herbicide spray. They create a...

From$5.00
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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...

OUT OF STOCK
Plum 'Angelina Burdett' fruit.
Plum 'Angelina Burdett'

'Angelina Burdett' Plum is a productive deciduous fruit tree valued for its delicious sweet plums and attractive spring blossom. It provides...

OUT OF STOCK
Plum Hawera

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Coprosma, Loropetalum, and Plum, or related Categories - Plum Trees, Evergreen Shrubs, and Flowering Plums.

Search what is the best plum tree to buy

Choosing the Best Plum Variety for Your Garden

The first step when deciding what is the best plum tree to buy is considering your region and your gardening goals. Some plums are better suited to cooler areas, while others thrive in warmer microclimates. Many plums benefit from cross-pollination, so planting more than one compatible variety can ensure larger yields.

Among the most popular options is the Plum Santa Rosa, loved for its large, juicy fruit and sweet-tart flavour. Santa Rosa is partially self-fertile, making it a fantastic choice if you have room for just one plum tree.

For those seeking a classic New Zealand favourite, Plum Hawera is renowned for its heavy crops of rich, red-skinned fruit with a vibrant, tangy-sweet taste. Hawera plums are fantastic for eating fresh or making jams and chutneys.

Unique Plum Trees for Your Collection

If you’re a fruit enthusiast who loves to experiment, or you want a talking point in the orchard, consider rarer plum varieties. The golden, apricot-sized Plum Mirabelle is a French delicacy prized for its honeyed sweetness and is ideal for fresh eating or desserts.

Another gourmet favourite is the Plum 'Greengage', valued for its superbly sweet green fruit perfect for eating straight from the tree or using in tarts and preserves.

If space is limited but you can’t decide, a dual grafted option like the Plum Black Doris and Billington offers the best of both worlds—two outstanding tasting plums on a single tree, extending your fruiting season and maximising harvest potential.

Tips for Choosing and Growing Plum Trees

When considering what is the best plum tree to buy, also think about your site conditions, cross-pollination partners, and desired harvest period. All plums need full sun, free-draining soil, and regular water through the warm months. Mulching helps conserve moisture and suppress weeds, while annual pruning encourages healthy growth and fruit sets.

Whether you’re planting a robust Plum Hawera or adding a rare Plum Mirabelle to your collection, choosing the best variety for your space ensures years of beautiful blossoms and delicious fruit. With so many exceptional plum trees available, finding what is the best plum tree to buy has never been more rewarding.

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.
Our garden favourites Agapanthus 'Gayles Lilac' and Rhododendron 'Black Magic' get lots of love, but don’t miss out on a few lesser-known delights: Metrosideros 'Moonlight', Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint), and Fraxinus griffithii.
–The Plant Company

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