Damson

The other European species is the damson plum (P. insititia), with smaller, tarter fruit produced on a 10-metre-tall tree. It's possibly the best plum for preserves, but few damsons are hardy below Zone 5.

Most plum cultivars grown in New York, including Stanley and Damson, are susceptible to this disease.

Julien A,' a damson plum (Prunus insititia). It has far better compatiblility with peaches than other dwarfing rootstocks, and it produces a cold-hardy, well-anchored, 10- to 12-foot-tree that can live as long as peaches on standard rootstocks.

Several European varieties that are reliable in our area include Stanley, Green Gage and Blue Damson, an early-bearing, small-fruited plum. Waneta is a late summer Japanese-American variety with large, red plums.

Damson and Sapalta plum. Among the crabapples, consider Royalty (red flowers & purple foliage), Bechtel (double pink flowers, usually no fruit), and Snowdrift (white flowers and red fruit).

See also: Plant, Planting, Water, Pruning, Spring