How to grow damson plums?
How to Grow Damson Plums. Growing Damson plum trees is suitable in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 7. If you’re thinking about growing Damson plum trees, you need a spot where the tree receives at least six to eight hours of full sunlight per day. Plum trees aren’t too choosy about soil, but the tree will perform best in deep, loamy,...
What are Farleigh damson plums?
Farleigh damson plums are palm-sized bites of goodness. Their slight acidity and extra hardiness set them apart from standard plums. The trees are small and sturdy, which makes them excellent for windbreaks or hedges and they can be trained to a trellis or espalier. The damson tree is a subspecies of plum.
Where do plums grow in the wild?
Its seeds have been found in prehistoric dwellings. It appears in ancient Mesopotamian records and is the plum of the ancient Greek poets. It took its name from Damascus. From there, it was taken to Italy and then to the rest of Europe where it now grows wild and in home orchards.
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Do damsons grow in Australia?
Available from selected retail stockists in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. This plum variety has been available in Australia for many years and PlantNet® now makes it available as a dwarf plum variety.
Where are wild damsons found?
Damsons. Damsons are a member of the plum family, frequently found in hedgerows, parks, woodlands and gardens in September and October. The fruit is slightly bigger than a large grape and resembles small plums.
Where do damson berries grow?
Growing Damson plum trees is suitable in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 7. If you're thinking about growing Damson plum trees, you need a spot where the tree receives at least six to eight hours of full sunlight per day.
Are damsons native to UK?
They were introduced to Britain by the Romans Leaves are oval shaped, wrinkled and slightly downy underneath. They broaden slightly on the top half. Possible lookalikes Bullace, Blackthorn (sloes), Green Gage and Wild Plums could all be mistaken for Damson. Fortunately, all of the fruit of these is edible.
What is the difference between a damson and a plum?
Let's start with the basics: first and foremost, plums tend to be predominantly round, whereas damsons are characterised by an oblong-oval shape. But an even more obvious differentiating feature is that plums have a pronounced, grooved longitudinal seam, whereas the same seam on damsons is far more difficult to see.
Are damsons good for you?
The most important health benefits of damson plums include their ability to improve the digestive system, lower cholesterol, protect against heart disease, strengthen bones, increase energy, optimize sleeping patterns, decrease your risk of certain types of cancer, and boost the immune system.
Do damsons grow in the US?
It was regarded as thriving better in the continental United States than other European plum varieties; many of the earliest references to European plums in American gardens concern the damson. A favourite of early colonists, the tree has escaped from gardens and can be found growing wild in states such as Idaho.
Are Damson plums the same as Italian prune plums?
Home growers often have them, and the plants are available from a number of nurseries. Basically, Italian Prune Plums (also called Empress Plums) are a European-type plum, similar to an English Damson plum. Italian Prune or Empress plums, are a European freestone version of Prunus domestica.
Can you eat damsons straight from the tree?
It's true that, because of their tartness, you're unlikely to want to eat damsons straight off the tree, but we get a good harvest every August unless the blossom was damaged by a particularly bad late frost, the trees survive with barely any maintenance and, as well as making delicious preserves and pies, damsons can ...
What month are damsons ready to pick?
AugustHow to grow damsons. Damsons are produced on trees and ready to harvest from August to October in the UK. They will come true from a saved stone, but you could be waiting many years for the tree to mature and bear fruit.
Where can I find damson trees?
Damsons, with their richly astringent flavour, are peculiar to the UK, and are easily grown in most situations. Damson trees originate from the native plum, Prunus insititia. Sloe or Blackthorn damsons appear in our hedgerows in Prunus spinose which is widely planted in Europe.
What is the difference between a damson and a sloe?
Damsons grow on a tree and are usually bigger round fruits size of a walnut and makes beautiful jam . I have read that. sloes are better left till after a frost when I used them for slow gin liqueur I was short of gin so I pricked them and put them in the freezer.
How tall do Damson plums grow?
Damson plum trees reach mature heights of about 20 feet (6 m.) with a similar spread, and dwarf trees are about half that size. Are Damson plums self-fertile? The answer is yes, Damson plums are self-fruitful and a second tree isn’t required. However, a nearby pollinating partner may result in larger crops.
What do Damson plums look like?
What do Damson plums look like? The small clingstone prunes are dark purple-black with firm green or golden yellow flesh. The trees display an attractive, rounded shape. The ovoid green leaves are finely toothed along the edges. Look for clusters of white blooms to appear in spring.
How much sunlight does a Damson plum tree need?
If you’re thinking about growing Damson plum trees, you need a spot where the tree receives at least six to eight hours of full sunlight per day. Plum trees aren’t too choosy about soil, but the tree will perform best in deep, loamy, well-drained soil.
Can you eat Damson plums?
According to Damson plum tree information, fresh Damson plums ( Prunus insititia) are bitter and unpleasant, so Damson plum trees aren’t recommended if you want to eat sweet, juicy fruit straight off the tree. However, when it comes to jams, jellies and sauces, ...
What is Damson Plum?
Damson Plum. Prunus institia. A small, vigorous, rugged, erect growing plum tree. White flowers are borne in umbrel-like clusters of 2-3 on short spurs, and solitary or 2-3 in axils on one year old wood. The later spring bloom time of the flowers makes them less frost prone. The foliage is dark green.
What type of soil does Damson plum prefer?
It prefers a moist, well-drained, loamy, mildly acidic to mildly alkaline soil.
When do plum trees ripen?
The foliage is dark green. Fruit production begins in 3-4 years.This tree bears heavy crops of purplish blue juicy, tart plums that ripens in August to October. Self-fertile.
Where did the plum tree get its name?
It appears in ancient Mesopotamian records and is the plum of the ancient Greek poets. It took its name from Damascus. From there, it was taken to Italy and then to the rest of Europe where it now grows wild and in home orchards.
When do clingstones ripen?
The flavor can be either sweet or sour, and the plums are great for canning. Yields ripe fruit typically from August to early September. Bears a heavy crop each season. Begins to bear crops in 3–4 growing seasons.
Is Damson plum self fertile?
It is cold hardy and tolerates strong winds. Rainfall and high humidity during the growing season can cause the fruit to crack.Thinning is not necessary for Damson plums.
Is Damson a plum tree?
The strong similarities between wild and domestic trees, and between the descriptions of ancient writers and observations today make this fruit tree noted for its remarkable consistency. The Damson is often grouped with the European plums, but botanists classify it as a separate species.
What is damson plum?
In South and Southeast Asia, the term damson plum sometimes refers to jamblang, the fruit from a tree in the family Myrtaceae.
Where are damsons found?
Remnants of damsons are sometimes found during archaeological digs of ancient Roman camps across England, and they have clearly been cultivated, and consumed, for centuries. Damson stones have been found in an excavation in Hungate, York, and dated to the late period of Anglo-Saxon England.
What is a Shropshire plum?
'Bucks Prune', 'Michaelmas Prune') is a semi-wild plum of damson type from the area of Buckinghamshire and Berkshire centred on Ivinghoe.
How to tell a white bullace from a damson?
Bullaces can usually be distinguished from damsons by their spherical shape, relatively smooth stones, and poorer flavour , and generally ripen up to a month later in the year than damsons.
What is damson fruit used for?
The fruit is therefore most often used for cooking, and is commercially grown for preparation in jam and other fruit preserves. Some varieties of damson, however, such as "Merryweather", are sweet enough to eat directly from the tree, and most are palatable raw if allowed to fully ripen. They can also be pickled, canned, or otherwise preserved.
When do blue violet damsons ripen?
The small, red-purple clingstone damsons ripen as early as mid-August: they have very juicy flesh but lack "true damson flavour". 'Blue Violet' originated in Westmoreland (likely as a hybrid or development of 'Shropshire Prune') and was first sent to the National Fruit Trials in the 1930s.
Where did damson flowers come from?
Damson flowers. The name damson comes from Middle English damascene, damesene, damasin, damsin, and ultimately from the Latin (prunum) damascenum, "plum of Damascus". One commonly stated theory is that damsons were first cultivated in antiquity in the area around the ancient city of Damascus, capital of modern-day Syria, ...
What is a Farleigh Damson plum?
Farleigh damson plums are palm-sized bites of goodness. Their slight acidity and extra hardiness set them apart from standard plums. The trees are small and sturdy, which makes them excellent for windbreaks or hedges and they can be trained to a trellis or espalier. The damson tree is a subspecies of plum. Farleigh damson plums are longer and more ...
What is a damson tree?
The damson tree is a subspecies of plum. Farleigh damson plums are longer and more oval than regular plums and smaller overall in size. The flesh is firmer and drier and does not break down completely when cooked, unlike plums whose flesh melts into an almost baby food consistency when cooked.
Where did the Farleigh damson originate?
Farleigh damsons are bluish-black and arrive mid to late season. This damson originated in Kent in the early 1800s. The seedling was possibly a wild sport and grown by Mr. James Crittendon from Farleigh. The tree is also known as Farleigh Prolific due to its heavy cropping habit.
Is a drupe a plum?
The drupes are cousins of plums and have been found to be cultivated as far back as the Roman period. The Farleigh damson tree is a vigorous producer and quite easy to grow. Continue reading for some fun and informative Farleigh damson info.
Do damsons need sun?
Like all plums, damsons require full sun. A southern or western site is perfect. Soil should have a neutral pH, be well draining and loam to sandy loam. Keep young trees well-watered and train them early to develop a strong scaffold and sturdy trunk.
Is Farleigh Damson a self fertile tree?
Farleigh damson is a self-fertile tree, but you can get a better crop with a pol linating partner. In addition to its extreme hardiness, the tree is also resistant to many pests and diseases, including silverleaf.
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Know your greengages, plums and damsons
The plum family falls into two broad categories: Japanese and European. Japanese plums tend to be fat and red and thrive in warmer regions, while European kinds are smaller, oval, and happy in cooler climes. European plums also tend to be self-fruiting (otherwise known as self-pollinating), so you only need one tree to enjoy a harvest.
1. Plums
True European plums are oval and fleshy, like a tangy peach. They are less fussy about warmth than Japanese plums and greengages, and are differently shaped to damsons.
2. Damsons
Also known as the 'damascene', the damson (Prunus insititia) predates the plum by some distance, and has a wilder background. It is said they were cultivated 10,000 years ago!
3. Greengages
The green appearance of most gages may lead you to believe that they're sour and unripe, but actually, they can be very sweet. A cultivar of the European plum, they tend to be smaller than true plums and have a rounded, oval shape.
What other types of plums are there besides damsons and greengages?
As well as these core stone fruits, you may come across other relatives such as the bullace (which is like a tiny damson) and the sloe (the blackthorn fruit with a plummy taste).
Which type of plum should you choose for your garden?
Of course, the taste will factor into your decision making, but the best type of plum to grow will also largely depend on your region and the quality of sunshine and shelter you can provide.
Can you grow damsons, plums and greengages together?
Plum trees are easy to grow, but you can boost your chances of success if you grow a plum alongside a gage or damson, even if your chosen varieties are self-pollinating. The combinations can enhance both the volume and the depths of flavor.
Overview
History
The name damson comes from Middle English damascene, damesene, damasin, damsin, and ultimately from the Latin (prunum) damascenum, "plum of Damascus". One commonly stated theory is that damsons were first cultivated in antiquity in the area around the ancient city of Damascus, capital of modern-day Syria, and were introduced into England by the Romans. The historical link …
Characteristics
The main characteristic of the damson is its distinctive rich flavour; unlike other plums it is both high in sugars and highly astringent. The fruit of the damson can also be identified by its shape, which is usually ovoid and slightly pointed at one end, or pyriform; its smooth-textured yellow-green flesh; and its skin, which ranges from dark blue to indigo to near-black depending on the variety (other typ…
Cultivars
Several cultivars have been selected, and some are found in Great Britain, Ireland and the United States. There are still relatively few varieties of damson, with The Garden recording no more than "eight or nine varieties" in existence at the end of the 19th century; some are self-fertile and can reproduce from seed as well as by grafting. The cultivars 'Farleigh Damson' and 'Prune Damson' have gained the Royal …
White damson
Although the majority of damson varieties are blue-black or purple in colour, there are at least two now-rare forms of "white damson", both having green or yellow-green skin. The National Fruit Collection has accessions of the "White Damson (Sergeant)" and the larger "White Damson (Taylor)", both of which may first have been mentioned in the 1620s.
To confuse matters, the White Bullace was in the past sold in London markets under the name of "…
Uses
The skin of the damson can have a very tart flavour, particularly when unripe (the term "damson" is often used to describe red wines with rich yet acidic plummy flavours). The fruit is therefore most often used for cooking, and is commercially grown for preparation in jam and other fruit preserves. Some varieties of damson, however, such as "Merryweather", are sweet enough to ea…
External links
• Media related to Prunus domestica subsp. insititia at Wikimedia Commons