Plum - King Billy

Common Name:
King Billy Plum

Description:
The King Billy plum (Prunus domestica 'King Billy') is a rare and highly regarded European-style plum variety, known for its large, deep red to purple fruit and rich, sweet flavour. The flesh is golden-yellow, juicy, and slightly firm, making it excellent for fresh eating, cooking, jam-making, and drying. This mid-to-late season variety is highly productive, producing heavy crops when grown in full sun with well-drained soil. The tree has an upright, spreading growth habit and features delicate white blossoms in spring that attract pollinators. While partially self-fertile, it benefits from cross-pollination with other European plum varieties for improved yields.

Form:

• Tree - Small
• Tree - Medium

Mature Size:

• Height: 3–5m (can be pruned smaller)
• Width: 3–4m

Aspect:

• Full Sun

Flowering:

• Flowers in Spring

Flower Colour:

• White

Key Attributes:

• Edible Fruit
• Partially Self-Pollinating (benefits from a pollinator)
• Suitable for Espalier
• Suitable for Pots (when grown as a dwarf variety)
• Bee Attracting
• Heavy Fruiting Variety
• Excellent for Fresh Eating and Preserves

Toxicity:

• Leaves, seeds, and pits contain cyanogenic compounds and should not be consumed

Companion Plants:

• Other European plum varieties (Greengage, Angelina, Damson) for cross-pollination
• Peaches and nectarines (similar growing conditions)
• Lavender (attracts pollinators)
• Borage (improves fruit set)
• Marigolds (helps deter pests)