Rivers Early Prolific

A good dual purpose plum which lives up to its name by being both early and very prolific.

Origin: Hertfordshire UK, 1820

Pollination: Rivers Early Prolific is partially self-fertile and would produce some crop without a pollinator but would benefit considerably from a pollinator. Pollination partners

We are now closed for the season. Ordering for winter 2024/25 will be enabled from Wednesday 1st May 2024.

History and description of Rivers Early Prolific

Early Proficic plum was raised by Thomas Rivers, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshires c 1820 from an open pollinated Precoce de Tours. Awarded a First Class Certificate by the RHS in 1895 it became established as a commercial variety in the UK.

Small to medium sized, round to oval fruit. Blue-black skin with a lavender bloom. Golden yellow, firm, juicy flesh. Free stone. Rich damson-like flavour. Can be sharp but usually quite sweet and pleasant as a dessert plum when fully ripe. Good as a cooking plum particularly for jam.

Small tree with pendulous habit. Branches tend to be slender and twiggy and are liable to break under the weight of a heavy crop. Cropping is good and often heavy. Will tollerate shade.

Characteristics of Rivers Early Prolific plum and gage trees

Use	Culinary
Colour	Blue
Flavour	Sharp
Fruit size	Small
Picking time
Season of use	L July
Tree vigour	Small
Tree habit	Upright-spreading
Fruit-bearing
Cropping	Heavy
Suitable for	Shade
Pollination date	20
Pollination group	C
Self-fertility	Partially self-fertile
Pollinators	Pollination partners
Progeny	Czar Olympia Purple Pershore Sanctus Hubertus