Frank P Matthews
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A tree that has been grown in the field and then lifted out of the ground when dormant. Available from November to March. The roots are more open and the direct contact with the soil encourages them to settle in and establish more readily.
These are 2yr old trees that have been grown 1yr in the field and the second in a pot. Container trees can be planted at any time of the year but establish best when planted during the autumn and need to be watered well during the first summer.
Mirabelle trees are a type of plum. The fruit is usually small and sweet with smooth skin. The texture is soft and juicy. They can crop in abundance and provide lots of delicious fruit in late summer. The fruit is primarily used for jams, preserves and puddings. It is also used for making wine or being distilled into plum brandy. The fruits are ready for harvest in August and September. They are mostly red but can also be yellow.
Mirabelle trees are partially self fertile. They will produce a crop when planted on their own and will benefit from a companion variety to help increase yield. Any early flowering plum, gage or damson will cross pollinate with a mirabelle.
Popular in France, they have been grown for centuries for culinary purposes. The fruit can also be eaten fresh from the tree.
Mirabelle
Round, dark red/purple fruit. Flesh red-yellow with melting texture, juicy and sweet. Semi freestone.
Yellow-orange with green tinges and red spots. Rich and sweet. Eat fresh from tree or use for bottling.
Large yellow almost translucent fruit with golden flesh and sweet plummy flavour. Partially self-fertile. Eating or cooking.
Large, bright red fruit with sweet, orange flesh. The flavour is sugary and rich. Partially self-fertile. Eating and cooking.
Largest fruit of the mirabelles recorded, sweet peach flavoured dark red flesh. Upright in habit.