Prunus insititia
Bullace
Common names: Damson, Wild plum
At a glance
- Light
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Hardy down to −25 °C
- Pruning
- Jul–Aug
- Harvest
- Aug–Oct
- Spacing
- 400 cm, rows 500 cm
- Water need
- Low
- Origin
- Native to Germany
Photo: Jonathan Billinger · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source
Description
Prunus insititia, commonly known as bullace, is an old, hardy wild plum species that has grown in the DACH region for centuries in gardens and hedges. The small, aromatic fruits ripen from late July to October depending on the variety and are excellent for making preserves, compotes, and drying. As with all Prunus species, only the flesh is edible; the seeds, leaves, and bark contain bitter compounds that can release cyanide in the body and should not be consumed. The plant can be grown as a low-maintenance small tree or large shrub and tolerates poor soils, wind, and exposed sites. It is often used for hedges and wild fruit areas. Bees and other insects enjoy the abundant spring blossoms, while birds benefit from the late-ripening fruits.
Care instructions
Bullaces are low-maintenance and require little care once established. Plant in autumn or early spring, preferably between mid-October and mid-November or late February to early April, in well-draining, not overly heavy soil. Water regularly during the first two years, then only during prolonged dry periods. Prune in summer after harvest to prevent wild growth and dense canopies; a thinning cut every few years keeps the tree healthy and yields abundant fruit. As a robust wild form, it does not need special fertilization; a light compost application in spring is sufficient.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
PlantingFeb–Mar, Oct–Nov
HarvestAug–Oct
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, loamy, nutrient-rich, lime-loving
The bullace likes deep, free-draining soil with sufficient nutrients, but also forgives heavier, loamy positions better than many other stone fruits. You should still avoid waterlogging, otherwise the roots suffer. Slightly chalky soil does it good; it avoids extremely acidic sites.
Feeding
Medium feeder
Months
Mar, May
In early spring, give the bullace mature compost or well-rotted manure around the root zone; that is enough for most of the season. A second, light dose after flowering in May supports fruit set. Mulch of leaves or grass clippings retains moisture and supplies further nutrients on the side.
Pruning
Prune the bullace in summer after the harvest; the wounds then heal quickly and the risk of disease drops markedly. Remove dense, crossing branches and dead wood so that light and air reach the inside of the crown. Too hard a cut in winter can lead to gummosis in stone fruit, so it is better to thin moderately and regularly.
Overwintering
As a native stone fruit tree, the bullace is well hardy and needs no special protection in most locations. For young trees, a lime wash on the trunk is worthwhile against frost cracks and sunscald in winter. Vole protection around the root ball makes sense for young plantings.
Propagation
Methods
- Grafting
- From seed
- Runners
The classic propagation is by grafting onto a suitable rootstock, which preserves vigour and variety type. Seedlings raised from stones often differ from the mother tree, but they are well suited as a robust rootstock or for enthusiasts who want to discover something new. Root suckers, which some bullace trees form, can also be cut off and grown on as independent plants. Grafting in late winter onto dormant rootstocks gives the most reliable results.
Companion planting
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
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