Damson Langley Bullace

A late season, culinary damson, Prunus insititia Langley Bullace is, despite the name, a small damson rather than a bullace. The rather small, round to oblong fruit has an almost black skin with a beautiful blue bloom when ripe. The flesh is greenish and tart, with a clinging stone, and is excellent for making pies, crumbles, jam and damson gin. The tree is vigorous, with branches growing downward at first, then twisting upwards; pruning will encourage a better form. Damson Langley Bullace is a vigorous tree, and a heavy cropper. It’s self-fertile, and will pollinate other plums and damsons, but may crop better with a pollination partner.

Site: Sheltered, sunny site
Soil: Fertile, deep, well-drained, acid to neutral soil
Position: Full sun; avoid frost pockets
Pick: Late September
Keep: A few days once ripe
Hardiness: Hardy
Pollination: Self-fertile; Pollination Group 3
Uses: Cooking, preserving