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Merryweather damson trees

Prunus insititia
Merryweather

Merryweather is one of the most widely-planted and hardy damsons. The fruit is large by damson standards and Merryweather is in some ways more like a small plum.

The fruit can be eaten fresh if left to hang on the tree, but damsons really come into their own for culinary use, where they can subsitute for plums yet have a distinctive rich flavour.

Merryweather is a clingstone fruit - the stone is not easily parted from the flesh.

Merryweather 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 VVA-1 rootstock £43.50
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
  • PG22-year bush-trained 12L pot-grown tree St. Julien rootstock £42.50
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
  • PG3Premium half-standard 12L pot-grown tree St. Julien rootstock £47.50
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
  • PG4Fan-trained 12L pot-grown tree St. Julien rootstock £62.50
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
    Contact us

Bare-root

  • BR11-year bare-root tree VVA-1 rootstock £23.95
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
  • BR22-year bush-trained bare-root tree VVA-1 rootstock £33.95
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
  • BR31-year bare-root tree Wavit rootstock £24.45
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
  • BR41-year bare-root tree St. Julien rootstock £22.95
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
  • BR52-year bush-trained bare-root tree St. Julien rootstock £32.95
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
  • BR62-year half-standard bare-root tree St. Julien rootstock £37.95
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
  • BR71-year bare-root tree Brompton rootstock £22.95
    Very large tree (4m-7m after 10 years)

How to grow

Merryweather produces a large vigorous tree, which tends to be spreading rather than vertical in its growth like most damsons. The canopy is also less "twiggy" and more plum-like than other damsons, making it less suitable for use in fruiting hedges.

Merryweather is more precocious than other damsons, and you may get a crop from trees which are 2-4 years old.

Like most damsons, Merryweather tolerates wet and cold situations and is resistant to silverleaf.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

Merryweather is a traditional English damson, but origins unknown.

Merryweather characteristics

Using

  • CroppingHeavy
  • Picking seasonMid
  • Keeping (of fruit)1 week
  • Fruit persistenceNormal ripening
  • Flavour qualityGood
  • WildlifeRHS perfect for pollinators
  • Food usesCulinary
  • Cling-stoneClingstone

Growing

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
  • Flowering group3
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • VigourVigorous
  • Bearing regularityRegular
  • Organic cultureSuitable

Problems

  • SilverleafVery resistant
  • Disease resistanceGood

Climate

  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesMild damp climates
  • Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)Cold (< 20C / 67F)

Identification

  • Country of originUnited Kingdom
  • Period of origin1900 - 1949
  • Flower colourWhite
  • Leaf colourGreen
  • Fruit colourBlue - dark