The Most Delicious Plum Variety You Can Grow In Your Own Yard

It happens more often than any of us realizes. You've made it through a summer without tasting one single plum. Maybe the thought isn't particularly heart-breaking, since sinking our teeth into fruit that hasn't traveled hundreds of miles to reach us is rare. Rediscover the delight of plums by growing one of the best of them all, the 'Coe's Golden Drop.' Snacking on these purplish to golden fruit fresh from the tree will permanently spoil you for all other plum varieties. 'Coe's Golden Drop' was developed over 200 years ago in England by combining a greengage with a 'White Magnum Bonum'. The resulting ultra-juicy fruit shares the best facets of these two varieties: the intense sweetness of greengages and the size and a hint of acidity from 'White Magnum Bonum'.

This late-blooming heirloom plum tree is suited for zones 5 to 9, although some sources state that 'Coe's Golden Drop' is hardy to zones as cold as 3 and 4; in these zones, it's smart to add a generous layer of mulch around the trunk in winter. The tree is also perfect to espalier against a sunny wall that holds and radiates extra warmth in cooler climes.

Scope out a sheltered, sunny spot in your yard for your 'Coe's Golden Drop'. An ideal spot has southern or eastern exposure and well-draining loamy or sandy soil. When choosing a planting spot, keep in mind that the tree will top out between 7 and 13 feet in anywhere from five to 10 years. 'Coe's Golden Drop' trees are pretty thirsty, so make sure they get between 12 and 15 gallons of water per week during the growing season.

The surefire way to make sure your plum tree produces fruit is by pairing it up with another plum tree. In fact, this plum variety must cross-pollinate with another nearby European plum tree in order to bear fruit. Opt for varieties like greengage, d'Agen, Angelina, Mount Royal, or Stanley for the best results.

'Coe's Golden Drop' trees deliver the goods from mid to late September into October, depending on where you live. In the right conditions and with the right care, you can expect your first plums in two to five years. There's a range of suggested times for pruning 'Coe's Golden Drop' that seems to depend on region, so consult your local university extension for the best time to prune your plum tree in your area.