Prunus domestica Altesse Double - Common plum

The Prunus domestica Altesse Double (or Italian Plum) is a variety of plums with moderate vigour and late flowering. It produces elongated plums of dark blue-violet colour, suitable for harvesting from late August. Their flesh is firm, juicy, and sweet and can be consumed fresh in desserts or jams. Plant another variety nearby for better pollination, as Altesse Double is only partially self-fertile.

The Plum trees belong to the vast family of Rosaceae, which includes most of our temperate climate fruit trees (Apple trees, Pear trees, Apricot trees, Peach trees, Cherry trees, Quince trees...) as well as small fruits (Blackberries, Raspberry bushes, Strawberry plants). The Prunus genus is vast, counting over 300 species, both fruit-bearing (Almond trees, Peach trees...) and ornamental. The Prunus domestica is probably native to Asia Minor (Syria) and would have been introduced to Rome and many other species due to Roman conquests. According to some authors, its introduction to Europe is instead linked to the Crusades; who knows?

Altesse Double is a variety of Italian Plum that forms a small spreading tree, 4 to 6 metres (13 to 20 feet) tall and about 4 metres (13 feet) wide. This variety is characterized by late flowering, in April-May. It then bears clusters of white flowers with five petals, attracting bees. This Plum tree is only partially self-fertile, and the proximity of another variety will improve its pollination. Altesse Simple (Quetsche d'Alsace) is the most suitable for this. Once pollinated, the flowers form drupes during the summer, fleshy fruits with stones, commonly called plums. These have an elongated shape and are dark blue-violet with a characteristic bloom on these fruits. They ripen in late August and can be harvested. Their yellow flesh is quite firm and juicy, with a slight aroma, and they are pleasantly sweet. These fruits can be consumed fresh after harvesting and used in tarts or jams. Plums are refreshing fruits, relatively low in calories, and rich in vitamin E.
Hardy down to -20 °C, this variety grows in full sun, in ordinary soil, well-drained, neutral to limestone, and not too dry. It is an easy-to-grow tree, not demanding once well-established.

This Plum tree with moderate development will find its place in most gardens and can be the starting point for a small orchard. Pair it with an apple tree to enjoy fruits throughout autumn and an early pear tree, like William's Bon Chrétien, which produces fruits from August. If you lack space, consider small fruits like white currants like Blanka or red currants like Jonkheer van Tets. And why not a Goji berry like Sweet Lifeberry with its antioxidant-rich red berries?