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Farleigh damson

Farleigh

A classic English damson, still widely grown in gardens in Kent where it originated in the early 19th century.  Farleigh is one of the toughest fruit trees, and can be productive even in cold or wet climates which would be unsuitable for most other orchard fruits.

The fruit is a bit smaller than some other damsons (notably Merryweather) but cropping is heavy and consistent.  Farleigh also has the typical rich damson flavour and is a versatile culinary fruit.

In Kent Farleigh is sometimes known as Crittenden's damson, after a Mr Crittenden of Farleigh, who discovered it growing wild in the early 19th century.  The famous Victorian author Hogg refers to it by this name, and regarded it as "the best of all damsons".  Hogg also states that Farleigh is the largest of the damsons, but by modern standards Farleigh is generally considered medium or small, particularly given the popularity of the much larger Merryweather damson which was discovered at the start of the 20th century.

Farleigh damson identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

USDA identification images for Farleigh

The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.

    Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.

    Offspring of this variety


    Visitor reviews

    • 06 Sep 2013  United Kingdom
      Crazily hard work to jam this, huge crop but the size of cherries and highly cling stone so hard to stone. Good for flavour, plant if you have a LOT of spare time

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    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2018 season

    • 13th April  2018  - tree owned by David in Hove, United Kingdom

    Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.


    Origins

    • Species: Prunus insititia - Damson, Mirabelle, Bullace
    • Originates from: Farleigh, Kent, United Kingdom
    • Introduced: 1820
    • Developed by: Mr Crittenden

    Identification

    • Awards: RHS AGM (current)
    • Country of origin: United Kingdom
    • Period of origin: 1800 - 1849
    • Fruit colour: Blue - dark
    • Flower colour: White
    • Leaf colour: Green
    • Popularity: Best sellers
    • Annual cycle: Deciduous

    Using

    • Cling-stone: Clingstone
    • Picking season: Late
    • Keeping (of fruit): 1 week
    • Flavour quality: Good
    • Cropping: Heavy
    • Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
    • Food uses: Culinary
    • Picking period: mid-September
    • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

    Growing

    • Gardening skill: Beginner
    • Flowering group: 3
    • Pollinating others: Average
    • Vigour: Average vigour
    • Bearing regularity: Regular
    • Organic culture: Suitable
    • Self-fertility: Self-fertile

    Climate

    • Climate suitability: Temperate climates
    • Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
    • Cold hardiness (RHS): H6 (to -20C)
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Cold (< 20C / 67F)

    Other qualities

    • Disease resistance: Good
    • Silverleaf: Very resistant

    Where to buy trees

    The following tree nurseries offer Farleigh damson trees for sale:


    Where to buy fresh fruit

    No orchards have registered as growing this variety. If you grow this and want to register please go to our Orchard Registration form.



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