Plum Damson

Plum Damson

The Plum Damson is a much-loved British heritage fruit tree with a history stretching back centuries. Smaller and more intensely flavoured than a dessert plum, the damson is the ultimate preserve-maker's fruit — producing rich, deeply coloured jams, jellies, gin and chutneys that are simply unmatched in flavour. A truly rewarding tree that earns its place in any garden.

About the Fruit

Damsons are small, oval fruits with deep blue-purple skin and a distinctive bloom. The flesh is firm, golden-green and intensely flavoured — tart when eaten raw but transformed by cooking into something truly special. Harvest from late August to September for the finest results. They also freeze exceptionally well, so you can enjoy the harvest all year round.

Growing Information

• Self-fertile — produces good crops without a pollinator, though yields improve with another plum or damson nearby
• Exceptionally hardy and tough — one of the most reliable fruit trees for exposed or northerly UK gardens
• Vigorous and long-lived — a well-established damson tree can crop for decades
• Beautiful white spring blossom — a valuable early food source for bees and pollinators
• Thrives in most well-drained soils in a sunny or partially shaded position
• Harvest from late August to September when fruit is fully coloured and slightly soft

Planting Tips

Plant in a sunny or lightly shaded, sheltered spot with well-drained soil. Damsons are more tolerant of exposed conditions than most fruit trees, making them an excellent choice for northern gardens. Water well during the first growing season and mulch around the base to retain moisture. Prune in summer to reduce the risk of silver leaf disease and remove any crossing or damaged branches.