With the resurgence in interest in plums, growers have increasingly tried to improve on the popular English Victoria plum, and Excalibur is one of the best examples of these improved Victorias. The plums are larger than Victoria, and arguably have a better flavour for eating fresh.
Excalibur plum identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Excalibur
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Parents and other ancestors of this variety
- Count Althann's gage (parent)
Visitor reviews
- 29 Apr 2022 SHROPSHIRE, United KingdomI have 50 Excalibur Plums. The trees are very vigorous and don't crop heavy but the fruit is divine, as good as Avalon and one of my top 3 plums
- 06 Sep 2013 United KingdomMuch bigger (and earlier) than Victoria, a bit more flavourful too, nowhere near as prolific though
Tree register
United Kingdom
- Alex in Scourie, SUTHERLAND
- Billy Auger in Hopton Wafers, SHROPSHIRE
Origins
- Species: Prunus domestica - European plum
- Parentage: Seedling of Count Althann's gage
- Originates from: United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1989
- Developed by: Raised at Long Ashton Research Station, Bristol in 1970. Introduced in 1989.
Identification
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Period of origin: 1950 - 1999
- Fruit colour: Red
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Popularity: Best sellers
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
- Developer: Long Ashton Research Station
Using
- Picking season: Mid
- Keeping (of fruit): 1 week
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Cropping: Good
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Food uses: Culinary
- Picking period: mid-August
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 2
- Pollinating others: Average
- Vigour: Vigorous
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Average
- Plum pox virus / Sharka: Some susceptibility
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Excalibur plum trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Excalibur plum trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Excalibur:
United Kingdom
England - midlands
- Walsgrove Farm, Worcester
England - south-east
- Merton Green Walk, Wimbledon