Autumn 2023 - open for ordersYou can order now for delivery from week commencing 11th December onwards where items are showing as in stock.
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King of the Damsons damson trees

Prunus insititia
King of the Damsons is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Late
  • Self-fertility: Self-fertile
A traditional 19th century English damson from Nottinghamshire. Also widely-known as Bradley's King.

King of the Damsons damson trees for sale

Pot-grown

All pot-grown trees are suitable for planting out in the garden, some are suitable for growing in containers.

  • PG12-year bush-trained 12L pot-grown tree St. Julien rootstock £59.00< 5 in stock
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
  • PG2Premium half-standard 12L pot-grown tree St. Julien rootstock £63.00< 5 in stock
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
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Bare-root

  • BR11-year bare-root tree St. Julien rootstock £38.75< 5 in stock
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
  • BR22-year bush-trained bare-root tree St. Julien rootstock £47.50< 5 in stock
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
  • BR32-year half-standard bare-root tree St. Julien rootstock £51.00< 5 in stock
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
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Next deliveries

Order now for delivery from week commencing 11th December onwards where these items are showing as in stock.

Delivery charges

Delivery for a single tree starts at £9.95. It is calculated when you add trees to your basket, based on your postcode.

King of the Damsons, also known as Bradley's King, is a large-fruited traditional purple-blue damson which ripens in September.

The flavour is less astringent and slightly milder than other damsons.  The flesh is also fairly dry, which is useful in cooking because it avoids too much liquid getting into the mix.

Unusually amongst damsons, this is a freestone fruit - the stone falls away cleanly from the flesh.

How to grow

King of the Damsons is suitable for most areas of the UK.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

Bradley's King was introduced by a Mr Bradley of Nottingham in the 1880s. It is often known as the King of the Damsons on account of the large fruit size.

King of the Damsons characteristics

Growing

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
  • Flowering group2
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesMild damp climates
  • WildlifeRHS Plants for Pollinators

Using

  • Picking seasonLate
  • CroppingHeavy
  • Keeping (of fruit)1 week
  • Food usesCulinary
  • Cling-stoneFreestone

Problems

  • Disease resistanceGood
  • SilverleafVery resistant

Identification

  • Country of originUnited Kingdom
  • Period of origin1900 - 1949
  • Blossom colourWhite
  • Fruit colourBlue - dark