Merryweather damson
A popular damson variety, which grows well in cool temperate climates. The fruit is unusually large for a damson.
Merryweather is one of the most widely-grown of all damson varieties, being easy to grow, and producing good crops of classic damson-flavoured fruit.
Inspite of this popularity, some authorities question whether Merryweather is a true damson since it has many plum-like characteristics. H.V. Taylor in his definitive book "The plums of England" considered it as a hybrid damson / plum - but went on to say he felt it was probably the best of all damsons for gardeners.
By damson standards the fruit is large - more like a small plum in fact. Merryweather grows like a plum too, with a spreading habit rather than the more vertical habit often seen in damsons. It also comes into bearing earlier in its life than most damsons. Again unusually for a damson, the fruit can be eaten fresh if left to hang on the tree - although, like all damsons its true home is in the kitchen where it is one of the most versatile of culinary fruits.
Inspite of this interesting debate about its origins, Merryweather can be classed as a true damson for a simple reason - it has the distinctive astringent flavour which is the hallmark of the damson. Like most damsons it is also a hardy tree, in fact Merryweather is a tough tree even by damson standards and can thrive in very difficult situations.
Summary
- Species: Prunus insititia
- Origin: Southwell, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1907
- Developed by: Messrs. Merryweather (nuserymen)
- Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 126500
Identification
- Fruit colour: Blue-black
- Flesh colour: Green/Yellow
- Fruit size: Very large
- Fruit shape: Oval / round
- Stone clinging?: Clinging
Using
- Good for cooking
- Flavour quality: Good
- Flavour style: Sharper
- Ripening period: Mid season
- Use / keeping: 1-3 days
Growing
- Cropping: Heavy
- Flowering period: Mid season
- Flowering group: 3
- Fertility: Self-fertile
- Vigour: Large
- Gardening skill: Very easy
- Precocity: Precocious
- Shade tolerant
- General disease resistance: Good
Climate
- Suitable for temperate climates One of the hardiest of all fruit trees
- Tolerates cold winters
- Suitable for NW. Scotland?: Yes
- Suitable for N. England?: Yes
Disease resistance
- Silverleaf Chondrostereum purpureum - Very resistant
Fruit tree register
Do you have a tree of this variety in your garden or orchard? If so please register the details here and contribute to our international register of fruit trees.
The following Merryweather trees have been registered - click the name to view more details of each tree.
You can also view these trees on a map.
United States
- Mike in GLEN ROCK, PA
United Kingdom
- Andy in SURREY,
- Clifford Cain in BAWTRY, DONCASTER, SOUTH YORKSHIRE
- David Harmston in SLEAFORD, Lincs
- Davidjohndawkins in ELY, CAMBS
- Dr Mairi Rennie in PETERSFIELD, WEST SUSSEX
- Eileen Brown in BLAIRGOWRIE, PERTH AND KINROSS
- Freyja Burrill in KINGS MEABURN/ PENRITH, CUMBRIA
- Jane Cannig in EVESHAM,, WORCESTERSHIRE.
- Peter Tyler in EYE, SUFFOLK
- Philip Wray in ANDOVER, HAMPSHIRE
- Rachel in DOWNHAM MARKET, NORFOLK
- Sally in DERBYSHIRE
- Victoria Birkett in ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND
Latest Spring blossom records for this variety
2011 season
- 15th April 2011 - tree owned by Davidjohndawkins in ELY, United Kingdom
- 4th April 2011 - tree owned by David in SLEAFORD, United Kingdom
- 28th March 2011 - tree owned by Rachel in DOWNHAM MARKET, United Kingdom
- 20th March 2011 - tree owned by Dr in PETERSFIELD, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Latest harvest records for this variety
2011 season
Mature heights for Merryweather trees
This table shows the likely mature height for a Merryweather tree taking into account the vigor of the variety, the rootstock, and soil conditions.
| Rootstock | Soil quality | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poor | Below average | Average | Above average | Very good | |
| Pixy | 7.2 ft 2.2 m |
9.0 ft 2.8 m |
10.8 ft 3.3 m |
12.6 ft 3.9 m |
14.4 ft 4.4 m |
| St.Julien | 9.0 ft 2.8 m |
11.3 ft 3.5 m |
13.5 ft 4.1 m |
15.8 ft 4.8 m |
18.0 ft 5.5 m |
| Brompton | 14.4 ft 4.4 m |
18.0 ft 5.5 m |
21.6 ft 6.6 m |
25.2 ft 7.7 m |
28.8 ft 8.8 m |
From an idea by N. Buck - more details.
Plum, gage, damson trees
The following fruit tree nurseries offer Merryweather damson trees for sale:
-
Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK)
United Kingdom Supplier's website >>
Where to buy plums to eat
No orchards have registered as growing this variety. If you grow this and want to register please go to our Orchard Registration form.
Rate this variety for flavor