Autumn 2024 planting seasonPre-order now for EU delivery December 2024 - March 2025

Shropshire Prune damson trees

Prunus insititia
Shropshire Prune damsons
Shropshire Prune has received the RHS Award of Garden MeritShropshire Prune is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Mid Early September
  • Self-fertility: Self-fertile
  • Flowering group: 3

Shropshire Prune is the definitive northern English damson, with a distinctive astringent richness which makes it a versatile fruit for culinary purposes.

The centre of commercial damson production is the Lyth Valley in the Lake District of north west England. Shropshire Prune (or its close relations) is the most widely planted variety in this area. Unlike almost all other fruit trees, damsons, particularly Shropshire Prune, actually like a mild damp climate - making it a good choice for northern and north-western European.

Shropshire Prune is a semi-clingstone fruit - the stone is not easily parted from the flesh.

Bio / Organic  fruit trees

Shropshire Prune organic damson trees - graft to order

  • 11 yeartree on St. Julien A rootstock24.00€
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years) Custom graft
    Sold-out
  • 21 yeartree on Myrobalan rootstock24.00€
    Very large tree (5m-6m+ after 10 years) Custom graft
    Sold-out

Contact us if you would like to go on the waiting list for next season.

EU delivery countries
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Growing and Training

Shropshire Prune produces a typical damson tree - fairly small but upright, with densely packed branches. While normally grown as a bush-tree, the dense branches mean it can also be trained as a productive hedge.

The tree is self-fertile, although cropping will be improved if there is another different damson variety growing nearby.

Like all damsons, Shropshire Prune is very easy to grow. The main factor affecting the crop is the weather in early spring when the tree is in blossom. Rain, wind, or frost at this time can reduce yields - not necessarily through damaging the blossom, but by discouraging insects and preventing pollination. Apart from that there is nothing much to worry about. Pruning is unnecessary (except to remove damaged branches - if so, this should be done only in summer).


History

Shropshire Prune is an English damson variety, probably originating from the north-west, however its exact origins are not known.


Shropshire Prune characteristics

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
  • Flowering group3
  • Disease resistanceGood
  • Picking seasonMid - Early September
  • Season of use1 week
  • Food usesCulinary
  • Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)Cold (< 20C / 67F)
  • Country of originUnited Kingdom
  • Period of origin1800 - 1849
  • Fruit colourBlue - dark

Similar varieties

  • See also Farleigh
    Farleigh
    Farleigh is a cold-hardy heavy-cropping traditional English damson.
  • See also Farleigh
    Farleigh
    Farleigh is a cold-hardy heavy-cropping traditional English damson.
  • Madeleine
    A traditional French dual-purpose purple plum.
  • Madeleine
    A traditional French dual-purpose purple plum.
  • See also Noberte
    Noberte
    Noberte is a traditional culinary plum, ideal for making jams and plum tarts.
  • See also Noberte
    Noberte
    Noberte is a traditional culinary plum, ideal for making jams and plum tarts.
  • See also Quetsche d'Alsace
    Quetsche d'Alsace
    One of the best culinary plums, and a good example of the Quetsche or Zwetchen plums known in central Europe since the 17th century.