Excalibur

If you want an absolute monster of a plum, you want Excalibur.

It isn't necessarily the number of fruits that impresses most. Yields are moderate, but when each individual plum can become enormous, the kilos soon add up anyway. Our largest fruits can approach an impressive 150 grams each.

That also has a rather pleasant side effect for the grower:

Thinning? Usually unnecessary.

Excalibur has substantial, firm flesh, is exceptionally juicy and offers a rich, classic plum aroma. Leave the fruit on the tree long enough to ripen properly, and the stone will also separate nicely from the flesh.

And then there is the name.

Excalibur has a remarkably long stem, and I've often wondered whether that might explain it. The enormous plum is the stone – and that long stem is Excalibur itself, the sword in the stone.

Whether that is actually how the variety got its name is another matter entirely. But we're quite happy to keep the theory. :D

Excalibur needs a compatible pollinator, and on our farm Victoria seems very happy to take care of that particular job.

Over the years, Excalibur has developed its own loyal fan base. It isn't difficult to understand why: it looks spectacular, tastes excellent and has the kind of size that makes people look twice.

So we have no plans to get rid of this monster.

Excalibur will be swinging its sword in our orchard for many years to come.

- Enormous fruit – the largest can approach 150 grams per plum
- Moderate yields, but the sheer fruit size still produces plenty of weight
- Little or no thinning required
- Substantial and firm plum flesh
- Exceptionally juicy with a rich, classic plum aroma
- The stone separates well when the fruit is allowed to ripen properly
- Requires a compatible pollinator – Victoria does an excellent job for us
- Exceptionally attractive fruit
- Has its own loyal fan base
- An absolute monster of a plum