About
A late, heavy-cropping, culinary damson to 2.5-4m in height depending upon the rootstock. Flowers white, fruit very dark blue. Self-fertile; pollination group 3.
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 typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeFruit Edible, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in full sun in a sheltered position in moist, but well-drained soil, ideally with a pH of 6 to 6.5. Irrigate in dry periods
PruningRegular pruning required according to tree form; see pruning plums and pruning established fans
PropagationPropagate by chip budding or grafting on rootstock for fruit
Pest resistanceCan suffer from aphids including plum aphid, caterpillars including plum moth, fruit tree red spider mite and brown scale
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and honey fungus