Methley Plum

Pyrus salicina 'Methley'

Methley Plum is a semi-dwarf deciduous tree primarily grown for its fruit but has an attractive irregular spreading form.  The showy display of fragrant white spring flowers attract butterflies and give way to a heavy bearing of rich purple-red summer fruits.  These sweet and mild plums have a distinctive flavor good fresh or jellied.  Grows best in full sun and rich, moist well-drained soils.  Methley is a self pollinator that produces heavy and early, but sets fruit better with another cultivar.  Improved disease and heat resistance, but due to early spring flowering buds may be susceptible to frost damage. 

MAINTENANCE NEEDS:  High Maintenance. Needs regular watering.  Plums have a lot of pest and disease issues  and may necessary.  Potential issues include scales, borers, mites, aphids, leaf spots and rots.  Fallen fruit can be messy if not harvested.

 LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Wildlife Garden, Naturalized Areas, Ponds and Streams, Edible Gardens, and Containers.

COMPANION PLANTS:  Strawberry, Peach, Apple

Image: Photo by Forest and Kim Starr, Methley plum fruit