About
A small, twiggy, occasionally spiny, deciduous tree. Small, white flowers appear in early spring, followed by rounded fruit which may be yellow, red, green or purple. Many cultivated varieties of damson have been developed from this species.
About the genus
Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHNeutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeFruit Edible, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toC & S Europe N Africa
Care notes
CultivationGrow in full sun in a sheltered position in moist, but well-drained soil. See damson cultivation
PruningRegular pruning required according to tree form; see pruning plums or pruning established fans
PropagationPropagate by chip budding or grafting. Trees grown from stones will not normally resemble the parent
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to plum aphid, caterpillars, fruit tree red spider mite, brown scale, plum moth and damage by wasps and birds
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to silver leaf. High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa