Merton Gem

A heavy cropping red dual purpose plum similar to Victoria.

Origin: London UK, 1923

Pollination: Merton Gem is partially self-fertile and would produce some crop without a pollinator but would benefit considerably from a pollinator.Find pollination partners >

British-grown All our bare-root trees are personally hand-grafted by our Nursery Manager and grown on at our nursery in Kent. We have Defra and Plant Healthy certification. More ...

Merton Gem plum and gage trees produced to order

Closing date for custom graft orders: 14 Jul 2026

We do not stock this variety, but we can produce custom-graft trees for you. Trees can be grafted on any of the following rootstocks:

Form	Rootstock	Price	Quantity
Maiden	VVA-1Dwarfing	£39.00
Maiden	AdaptabilSemi-vigorous	£39.00

Custom graft trees would be supplied in December 2027. More details of our custom grafting service here.

History and description of Merton Gem

Merton Gem was raised by M B Crane at the John Innes Institute, Merton, London in 1923 from a cross between Coe's Violet and Victoria. Not named until 1965.

Medium large, oval-oblong fruit. Red, bloomy skin. Yellow, very juicy flesh. Good rich flavour. Clinging stone.

Moderately vigorous somewhat pendulous tree. Heavy regular cropper.

Characteristics of Merton Gem plum and gage trees

Use	Dual Cul & Des
Colour	Red
Flavour	Sweet
Fruit size	Medium
Picking time
Season of use	Sep
Tree vigour	Moderate
Tree habit	Upright-spreading
Fruit-bearing
Cropping	Heavy
Disease resistance	Silver Leaf - Resistant
Pollination date	21
Pollination group	C
Self-fertility	Partially self-fertile
Pollinators	Pollination partners
Parentage	Victoria