Saint Catherine Plum Tree

Prunus domestica 'Saint Catherine' is a variety of plum with medium vigour. It is self-fertile and highly productive. It produces an abundance of white flowers in April, which are attractive to bees. During summer, these flowers develop into medium to large-sized plums with a slightly elongated shape, and a beautiful yellow-gold colour with red spots on the side exposed to the sun. They are ready to be harvested from late August. Their juicy flesh is sweet, highly aromatic, and has a pleasant honey-like taste. These plums can be consumed fresh, used in tarts or jams, or dried to make prunes. It should be grown in full sun in well-drained soil. 

Plum trees are part of the extensive Rosaceae family, which includes most temperate climate fruit trees (apples, pears, apricots, peach, cherries, and quince), as well as small fruits (blackberries, raspberries, strawberries). The Prunus genus itself is extremely large, with over 300 species, both fruit-bearing (almond, peach) and ornamental, including numerous ornamental trees and shrubs. Prunus domestica is probably native to Asia Minor (Syria) and would have been introduced to Rome, along with many other species, following the Roman conquests. According to some authors, its introduction to Europe may be more closely linked to the Crusades.

'Saint Catherine' is an old variety that may originate from the village of Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois, located south of Tours. It was cultivated in Louis XIV's vegetable garden and is the ancestor of the famous Prune de Tours, renowned throughout France in the 19th century. It has a moderate growth habit, forming a small tree that reaches a height of 5 to 6m (16 to 20ft), and a width of 3 to 5m (10 to 16ft), with a relatively upright form. In April, it produces clusters of single, white, 5-petalled flowers that are rich in nectar, ensuring that a certain number survive the potential late frosts. This variety is self-fertile, but cross-pollination with another tree will result in a more abundant harvest. Once pollinated, the flowers develop into drupes, the fleshy fruit with a stone that we know as plums. The plums ripen in late August and can then be harvested. Their juicy flesh is sweet, highly aromatic, and has a pleasant flavour that earns them the evocative name of honey plums. These fruits can be consumed fresh right after harvesting and can also be used in tarts or jams. They can also be dried to make prunes. Plums are refreshing fruits that are relatively low in calories, but rich in vitamin E.

Hardy down to -17°C (1.4°F), or even lower, this plum tree is easy to grow and relatively low-maintenance once well-established.

This moderately-sized plum tree will fit well in most gardens and can be combined with other plants to create a rustic look. The Smoky Amelanchier would be a great choice with its beautiful spring white flowers and autumn colours. You can enjoy its fruit, which resembles blueberries, two months before these plums are ready. In the same vein, the European Cornel would also be a good candidate. This shrub bears yellow flowers before the leaves appear, which then turn reddish-purple in autumn. Its fruits are also edible.