Prunus insititia (Damson Plum)
Damson, Damson Plum, Mirabelle, Wintercrack, Bullace, Damask Plum, Prunus domestica subsp. insititia
Regarded as the ancestor of the plums we eat today, Prunus insititia (Damson Plum) is a deciduous tree with a low canopy clothed in elliptic, finely serrated, green leaves. In mid spring, it bursts into a profusion of white 5-petaled blossoms, creating a spectacular display. They are followed by a bountiful crop of small to medium, oval, bluish purple, juicy plums. The fruit has a sharp taste, between bitter and sour and is more suitable for jams and jellies than eating raw. Damson Plum is self-fertile, cold hardy and grows well with little care. A relatively small tree that is perfect for the home garden. Good choice windbreak or hedging.
- Typically grows up to 12-15 ft. tall and wide (3-5 m) at maturity..
- Performs best in full sun in well-drained soils.
- This Plum tree will begin fruiting in 3 growing seasons.
- This plum tree has a chill hours requirement of 650 (hours of temperatures below 45ºF (7ºC) in the winter for their buds to open in the spring).
- No routine pruning necessary. Remove diseased, damaged, congested or crossing shoots. .
- Propagate by seed, although softwood cuttings in early summer with bottom heat can be successful.
- Keep an eye out for aphids, caterpillars, fruit tree red spider mite, brown scale, plum moth and silver leaf.
- Native to C & S Europe N Africa
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Requirements
Hardiness | 5
– 10 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Fruit, Trees |
Plant Family | Prunus - Fruit Trees, Plums |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid) Summer (Late) Fall |
Height | 12' – 15' (3.6m – 4.5m) |
Spread | 12' – 15' (3.6m – 4.5m) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | High |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Attracts | Birds |
Garden Uses | Hedges and Screens |
Great Plant Combination Ideas with Prunus - Fruit Trees
Guides with Prunus - Fruit Trees
By Karen Kaspar, Bobo Ling, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 5
– 10 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Fruit, Trees |
Plant Family | Prunus - Fruit Trees, Plums |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid) Summer (Late) Fall |
Height | 12' – 15' (3.6m – 4.5m) |
Spread | 12' – 15' (3.6m – 4.5m) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | High |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Attracts | Birds |
Garden Uses | Hedges and Screens |
Great Plant Combination Ideas with Prunus - Fruit Trees
Guides with Prunus - Fruit Trees