Damson Shropshire Prune

A very old culinary variety dating back to the 17th century, Damson Shropshire Prune is probably the finest flavoured of the damsons. The fruit is small, oval, and inky blue-black with a heavy, greyish bloom; the flesh is greenish-yellow, juicy, firm, and quite sweet, with a semi-clinging stone and excellent, rich, tart, damson flavour. Small, compact tree with dense, upright growth; can be grown as part of a fruiting hedge; not suitable for trained forms. Easy to grow and a reliable, but light, cropper. Good disease resistance, especially to silver-leaf disease. A very good choice for wet areas, and hardy in the north. Holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Any reasonably well drained
Position: Full sun, partial shade
Pick: Mid-September
Keep: Keeps for about a week
Hardiness: Hardy
Pollination: Self-fertile. Pollination group 3
Uses: Cooking, preserving

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