Plum ‘Gilbert Plum™' (Prunus ‘Gilbert Plum™') is a heritage-style Japanese plum selected in Tasmania by the late Australian garden writer, commentator and researcher Allen Gilbert*, who considered it exceptional for flavour, colour and hardiness more than 20 years before its release. The precise ancestry is uncertain, and the variety appears closely allied to Japanese plum types. Released by Rob Pelletier at Heritage Fruit Trees at Beaufort, Victoria in 2022, this variety has been trialled in the orchard for many years and proven to be vigorous, hardy and reliably productive. With richly flavoured fruit and striking deep purple flesh, Gilbert Plum™ is one of our favourite plums in the orchard at Heritage Fruit Trees and deserves a place in every home orchard.
- Uses: Eating fresh, jam, preserves, cooking, drying
- Pollination: Best results with two or more Japanese plum varieties nearby
- Harvest: Mid-season; mid-February in southern Australia
- Chill requirements: Suitable for temperate climates; moderate winter chill required
- Attributes: Hardy, vigorous, fruitful and reliable
- Features: Deep purple flesh, excellent flavour, attractive blossom, heritage Australian selection released in 2022
- Also known as: ‘The Gilbert Plum’, ‘Gilbert Plum’
*With decades of experience in horticultural extension, writing and researching, Allen was the garden expert that the garden experts listened to! We sell some of his books which remain among the best guides for serious amateur and small farm gardeners in their respective categories.
References:
Pelletier, R. and Blood, K. (2026). Background notes and orchard observations for Prunus ‘Gilbert Plum™’. Heritage Fruit Trees, Beaufort, Victoria.
Allen Gilbert historical background supplied via Heritage Fruit Trees archival notes and correspondence.
Images: Copyright Heritage Fruit Trees
