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Though amongst the
hardiest of fruits and able to bear heavy crops
when growing in shallow soil and rocky outcrops,
these fruits remain neglected. For cold, exposed
gardens they will crop more heavily than plums,
to which they are closely related. Damsons and
bullaces differ in that the former bears an oval
fruit, the latter a round one. They may be planted
as a windbreak, for they retain their foliage
through autumn, or in frost-troubled gardens.
plant with them the hardiest of the plums and
those which bloom late, e.g. Pond’s Seedlings
and Marjorie’s Seedlings. Damsons bloom
still later. Though they bear heavy crops in poor
soil, where provided with moisture-retaining humus,
especially of a nitrogenous nature, the size and
quality of fruit will be much enhanced. Dig in
farmyard or poultry manure, or composted straw
and garden compost or shoddy, before planting
in November or December. Damsons make new wood
slowly unless provided with nitrogen, and it is
advisable to scatter a handful of bone meal around
the roots before replacing the soil and treading
firmly. They will need almost no pruning, as they
make only small twiggy growth. And with the exception
of Farleigh Prolific, they will set fruit with
their own pollen, and thus present no difficulties
on that count. They are not suitable for dessert
but make delicious preserves and pies with a unique
flavour.
Plant 2.5-3m (8-10ft) apart depending on the vigour
of each variety. The three best damsons for a
succession are Bradley’s King, Farleigh
Prolific and Merryweather.
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