Prunus domestica 'Claude d'Althan' - Plum Tree - Patio Rootstock - Height 80-100cm - 7lt

The Claude D’Althan plum is a highly regarded French dessert plum, valued for its attractive fruit, reliable cropping and excellent eating quality. A superb choice for the home orchard, kitchen garden or mixed fruit garden, this traditional variety combines ornamental appeal with a delicious harvest of juicy, sweet plums.

The tree produces medium to large, rounded plums with attractive reddish-purple skin and firm, golden-yellow flesh. When ripe, the fruit is juicy and richly flavoured, with a pleasant balance of sweetness and acidity. Plums are ideal for eating fresh from the tree, but can also be used in pies, crumbles, jams, preserves and other homemade desserts.

Claude D’Althan is generally considered a self-fertile variety, making it particularly useful where space is limited and there is room for only one plum tree. However, fruiting can often be improved when another compatible plum variety is flowering nearby, encouraging better pollination and potentially heavier crops.

Flowering takes place in spring, with attractive white blossom appearing before the foliage develops fully. This makes the tree an appealing feature in the garden as well as a productive fruit tree. The fruit typically ripens from late summer into early autumn, depending on growing conditions and the season.

For the best results, plant Claude D’Althan in a sunny, sheltered position in fertile, well-drained soil. A sunny site helps the fruit ripen properly and encourages the best flavour. Avoid areas where the soil remains waterlogged during winter.

With its attractive spring blossom, useful garden size and delicious late-summer fruit, Claude D’Althan is an excellent traditional plum for UK gardens. It is particularly well suited to gardeners looking for a dependable, versatile fruit tree that provides both ornamental interest and a rewarding home-grown crop.