Farleigh Damson

A very old variety of damson said to have been found growing wild in Kent, at Farleigh, by a Mr James Crittenden around 1820. Hogg records it, in his Fruit Manual of 1884, as Crittenden’s Damson. The small, rounded fruit is slightly tapered and almost black, with a blue bloom, and somewhat larger and fatter than most damsons. The fruit hangs in clusters, becoming ripe in the middle of September, but often stays on the tree until November, when the fruits become sweet and mellow. They remain juicy. When cooked they give up little juice, are rich and sweet with little sugar needed. Medium vigour with compact growth. The leaves are large for a damson. Good crops.