Early plum recommendations?

[TrixC]

I have space on my allotment for an additional tree and would like to plant an early variety of plum. I was considering Opal but I've read that that doesn't fruit until early-mid August, and I already have an Early Transparent Gage which fruits around mid-August. I'm really looking for something that will be ready in July or early August at latest. Other varieties I am considering are Herman and Rivers Early Prolific. Does anyone have any experience with those? Any alternative recommendations?

[Kirk]

Having finally managed to get Orangepippin to search they have Castleton as the earliest, then European Damson and Geneva Mirabelle.

All these are classed as Plum and I have a feeling that Plums and Gages are different to everyone except us "normal" people. They also only seem to have 8 to choose from and I am sure there are more.

Well also say that Search on Early Picking in the Search option gives different results to the table of Picking Time.
Picking Time Table

So bits do not match. European Damson is Early in search criteria and one of the latest in the table of pick time.

If you search Google then it is all Rivers Early Plum, mainly as the search string is "Early Plums".

[devonuk]

Google is giving me Early Laxton as the earliest plum

[yummersetter]

My earliest plums are Gypsy, which is a nice red mirabelle type and the Japanese plum Satsuma. That tree is planted near a south facing house wall which might push it forward; it flowers from February to mid May and the red fruits ripen over a month, overlapping deliciously with greengages for the final week.

[GBax]

Opal is a great plum

[Bigmallly]

I would imagine like most early fruiting plants that you run the risk of losing your crop to late frosts if not protected.............Just a thought you may wish to consider.

[yummersetter]

Spring is usually earlier and kinder in London, though.

[TrixC]

Opal is a great plum

When does it ripen for you GBax? Was considering Opal but some sources suggest it's not all that early.

[TrixC]

My earliest plums are Gypsy, which is a nice red mirabelle type and the Japanese plum Satsuma. That tree is planted near a south facing house wall which might push it forward; it flowers from February to mid May and the red fruits ripen over a month, overlapping deliciously with greengages for the final week.

What time do these ripen? I thought mirabelles were generally later in the season?

[yummersetter]

Gypsy is a large deep red cherry plum, rather than true mirabelle. I've found this picture of them turning red, from 7th July 2014, the first were ripe a week or two later, picking over three or four weeks. The yellow mirabelles were picked at the end of August.