Frank P Matthews
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A tree that has been grown in the field and then lifted out of the ground when dormant. Available from November to March. The roots are more open and the direct contact with the soil encourages them to settle in and establish more readily.
These are 2yr old trees that have been grown 1yr in the field and the second in a pot. Container trees can be planted at any time of the year but establish best when planted during the autumn and need to be watered well during the first summer.
Damsons, with their richly astringent flavour, are peculiar to the UK and are easily grown in most situations. Damson trees originate from the native plum, Prunus insititia. Sloe or Blackthorn damsons appear in our hedgerows in Prunus spinosa which is widely planted in Europe.
All varieties are self-fertile, so, therefore, don’t need a pollination partner. We grow damson trees on a range of rootstocks from semi-dwarf to very vigorous.
The delicious fruits are so versatile, being used for gin, beer, wine, vinegar, jam, cheese, jelly, and even chocolate! Some varieties can be eaten fresh. Damson fruits are ready for picking from late August to mid-September.
Damson
Very small with a blue-black bloom. Good quality cooker. Hardy and regular cropper in northern districts.
A traditional English variety that produces large yellow bullace, round to oblong fruits of sweet, sharp flavour.
The Classic German 'Hauszwetsche' sweet prune for traditional 'plum cake' and fresh eating.
Late picking, self-fertile variety. Round, sweet fruit that can be eaten fresh or used for cooking.
Black-blue bloom, large fruit. Reliable cropper and self fertile. Best when made into jams, preserves or fruit pudding.
Unusually large damson both for dessert and culinary use. Reliable heavy crops of blue-black fruits, deliciously sweet.
The 'Greengage of Damsons'. Very reliable cropper with intense sugary flavours and dark blue in colour.
Dessert fruit of plum quality. Oval, blue/black with attractive bloom. Can drop from the tree in August.
Small round to round oblong, blue black with a good bloom, best for culinary use. Self Fertile.