Prunus domestica subsp. domestica
plum
Common names: damson plum
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The damson plum (Prunus domestica subsp. domestica) is a long, dark‑blue variety of plum with firm flesh that separates easily from the stone, ideal for pies, jams, and drying. Proven DACH cultivars such as 'Hauszwetschge' or 'Top' are robust and self‑fertile. It is one of the most important fruit trees in farm and home gardens.
Care instructions
Plant the damson plum in a sunny spot with nutrient‑rich, well‑drained soil, it is the most frost‑hardy of all plums. Water young trees during dry periods. After harvest, prune sparingly to keep the canopy light and healthy. Watch for scab disease and choose tolerant varieties when replanting. Harvest from August to October, depending on the cultivar.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
loamy, humus-rich, well-drained, nutrient-rich
Feeding
Medium feeder
Pruning
Companion planting
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
Diseases & pests
4 relevantFrom the knowledge base, automatically linked by affected species. How to spot and prevent them is covered in full in the lexicon.
Operophtera brumata
You will notice the Small Winter Moth in spring by its green caterpillars that, when crawling, have a cat's hump appearance.
More on Small Winter MothDrosophila suzukii
The Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) is a small fruit fly that, unlike native species, pierces healthy, still ripening fruits with its serrated ovipositor to lay eggs.
More on Spotted Wing DrosophilaGrapholita funebrana
The plum moth is the stone fruit counterpart to the codling moth: from June onwards the moth lays eggs on young fruit, the caterpillar bores its way through to the stone and triggers gummosis as well…
More on Plum mothWilsonomyces carpophilus
Shot hole disease is caused by the fungus Wilsonomyces carpophilus and attacks above all stone fruit such as cherry, plum, peach and apricot.
More on Shot hole diseaseVarieties
8 varieties‚Čačaks Fruchtbare’
You are the most fruitful of the Čačak plums, the name says it all: you set regularly and abundantly, you are…
‚Čačaks Schöne’
You are looking at *‚Čačaks Schöne’*, one of the three well‑known plums from the Serbian breeding program in Čačak…
‚Elena’
You will enjoy a very late plum from Hohenheim, ripening only from mid-September, the ideal variety to extend the season.
‚Hanita’
One of the best newer plums from the Hohenheim breeding, *‚Hanita’* is self‑fertile, robust, and has clearly better Scharka tolerance than the home plum.
‚Hauszwetschge’
The Hauszwetschge is the very essence of the German damson: an old classic that parts cleanly from the stone and only…
‚Katinka’
The earliest damson in the range: ripe by mid to late July and therefore the opening of the season.
‚Presenta’
A sharka tolerant Hohenheim breeding that comes close in flavour to the Hauszwetschge, spicy, freestone and self fertile.
‚Topfive’
A mid to mid-late ripening damson with large, dark blue fruits and good aroma.
Notes from real gardens
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From the magazine
Plum Moth: How to Keep Your Plums Worm-Free
Wormy plums are almost always the work of the plum moth. Once you understand its two generations and flight periods, you can cut the damage sharply with a pheromone trap, a trunk band and autumn hygiene, entirely without chemicals.
Zwetschge, plum, mirabelle, greengage: who is who
All four are plums, yet shape, freestone quality and flavour tell them apart. How to recognise Zwetschge, plum, mirabelle and greengage and plant the right one.
Planting and pruning Zwetschge and plum
An airy crown is the best prevention against brown rot. How to plant and prune Zwetschge and plum correctly, without risking gummosis.