Prunus domestica subsp. insititia 'Shropshire Prune'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- PROO-nus doh-MESS-tik-a
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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The Damson plum tree is a variety of European plum, P. domestica subsp. insititia, producing edible fruit, high in sugar, with a distinct, astringent taste and typically used in preserves and jams. It is self-fertile, meaning that it does not require another tree for pollination. However, planting two different cultivars is recommended to produce higher quality fruit.The cultivar 'Shropshire Prune' is the most popular variety of Damson plum in the United States.
Damson plum trees tolerate many types of soil and prefer a site in full sun with medium moisture and good drainage. It is cold hardy, resistant to diseases, and needs little maintenance.
The tree has a moderate growth rate of 13 to 24 inches a year, but the mature size of the tree depends on the version you choose, standard or dwarf.
In addition to providing fruit, Damson plum trees can be grown as a tough hedge or windbreak.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
Prone to split-pit and susceptible to black knot. Aphids can be a common problem to all plum trees.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Prunus
- Species:
- domestica subsp. insititia
- Family:
- Roseaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Edibility:
- The small to medium sized fruit has blue skin and yellow flesh. It is said the flesh has an astringent taste which makes it more suitable to make jams, canning or preserving. Ripens from August to early September.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Oval
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Thorns
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Gold/Yellow
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The small to medium sized ovoid fruit, pointed at one end, has blue skin and yellow flesh. Ripens from August to early September.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The white, clustered flowers bloom in April.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The green elliptic leaves have fine tooth on the margin.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
- Stem Bud Terminal:
- Cluster of terminal buds
- Stem Bud Scales:
- Enclosed in more than 2 scales
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Leaf Scar Shape:
- Encircles a bud
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Hedge
- Small Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Stems, leaves, seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting: brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Cyanogenic glycosides
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Leaves
- Seeds
- Stems
