Pollination groups for plums are normally referred to as B to D and we have used this classification because it is the one used by most nurseries. Occasionally numerical groups are used although this is rarer. We have included damsons, bullace and greengages as well as plums for completeness because they can all fertilise each other if in the correct group.
There are four pollination groups as far as plum trees are concerned, B, C, D and E. Because plum trees flower at very similar times irrespective of their variety, a plum tree in a group can be successfully pollinated by another variety in its own group or in a group above or below it. So for example, a plum tree in group D can be pollinated by a plum tree variety in C, D or E.
| Variety | Pollination Group |
Self-fertile |
| Avalon | 2 | Partially |
| Belle de Louvain | 3 | Yes |
| Blue Tit | 4 | Yes |
| Cambridge Gage | 3 | Partially |
| Coe’s Golden Drop * | 2 | No |
| Czar | 3 | Yes |
| Denniston’s Superb | 2 | Yes |
| Excalibur | 2 | No |
| Farleigh Damson | 3 | Yes |
| Herman | 2 | Yes |
| Jefferson * | 2 | No |
| King Damson | 2 | Yes |
| Langley Bullace | 3 | Yes |
| Marjorie’s Seedling | 3 | Partially |
| Merryweather | 3 | Yes |
| Mirabelle Golden Sphere | 1 | Partially |
| Mirabelle Ruby | 1 | Partially |
| Old Greengage | 3 | No |
| Opal | 3 | Yes |
| Oullins Golden Gage | 4 | Partially |
| Reine Claude de Bavay | 3 | Yes |
| Rivers Early Prolific | 2 | Partially |
| Sanctus Hubertus | 2 | No |
| Shropshire Prune | 3 | Yes |
| Victoria | 3 | Yes |
| Warwickshire Drooper | 2 | Yes |
| Yellow Pershore | 2 | Yes |
* Not suitable with Jefferson and vice versa
Rootstocks and Size
Pests and Disease
Guide to Planting
Pollination Groups
Care Plan and Pruning
Pruning Older Plum Trees
Top Ten Plum Tree Varieties
Plum Tree Questions and Answers
PLUM POLLINATION GROUPS
By David Marks
The majority of plum trees sold today are self-fertile however a few are not and the table below lists details of the most popular plum tree varieties.
Even self-fertile plum trees will produce more fruit if a different variety which flowers at the same time is nearby.
Plum trees are pollinated by insects, bees being the most common. If fruit production is a problem it could be that insufficient bees are present for pollination or high winds are preventing them from reaching the flowers