Description

🍑 Prune ‘Van der Merwe’ Tree – Sweet, Dark European Plum for Drying & Fresh Eating

A highly productive South African‑favoured prune plum variety known for its sweet flavour, dark purple skin, and excellent drying quality. Because of its reliability and strong yields, it has become a top choice for home gardeners, small orchards, and local growers. This hardy tree produces abundant crops of rich, sweet fruit that can be enjoyed fresh, dried, or used in baking and preserves.

🌿 Distinctive Features

The Prune ‘Van der Merwe’ Tree produces medium‑sized oval fruit with deep purple skin and amber‑gold flesh. The fruit has a naturally high sugar content, making it ideal for drying into traditional prunes. When eaten fresh, the flavour is sweet with a mild tang, and the flesh is firm yet juicy.

In spring, the tree bursts into masses of white blossoms, attracting bees and pollinators. These blossoms create a beautiful display before the fruit begins to set. The tree’s upright growth habit and lush green foliage make it both ornamental and productive.

This variety is self‑fertile, meaning it will fruit well on its own. However, planting it alongside other prune varieties such as D’Agen or Stanley can increase yield and improve fruit size.

🌱 Growth & Care

• Light: Full sun for maximum fruiting
• Water: Moderate watering; drought‑tolerant once established
• Soil: Well‑drained, compost‑rich soil
• Maintenance: Light pruning after harvest to maintain shape and airflow
• Spacing: Plant trees ± 4 m apart
• Climate: Performs exceptionally well in South African highveld, bushveld, and warm coastal regions

Because the Prune ‘Van der Merwe’ Tree thrives in sunny, sheltered positions, it is perfect for home orchards and small farms. Regular feeding in spring and early summer encourages vigorous growth and heavy fruiting.

🏡 Landscape Use

Use Prune ‘Van der Merwe’ as a feature tree in fruit gardens or as part of a mixed orchard. Its spring blossoms add charm, while its summer fruit provides colour and sweetness. It pairs beautifully with peaches, nectarines, apricots, and figs.

🌼 Pick‑Me Nursery Quality

At Pick‑Me Nursery, every Prune ‘Van der Merwe’ Tree is grown in a black nursery planting bag, ensuring strong roots, healthy foliage, and excellent fruiting potential. Each tree is cultivated under optimal nursery conditions for long‑term performance and high‑quality harvests.