A week or so ago we were on one of our periodic walks to the Builders’ Merchants. It sits on the edge of town, part of a small industrial enclave whose buildings are screened from adjacent roads by a section of dense mixed woodland.
And this is what we found along the fence-line – a close-set row of cherry plum trees, laden with fruit.
The Cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera) is native to Europe and Asia and grown in the UK as an ornamental due to its early flowering. It is also used in hedging. (Which makes me wonder if this row is a hedge gone feral. There are a few of those in Bishop’s Castle and we should know.) Better still, the fruit, ripening between mid-July and September, is edible. I tried a couple of windfalls, fallen on the verge. Sun-warmed and juicy. Delicious.
Now, I can’t think why I haven’t been back to gather some more – before the wasps beat me to it.
That may have been the variety I collected in my t-shirt once on a walk in southern Germany, in the country. Made a torte with it but the fruit wasn’t quite as sweet as other plum varieties; but now you’ve got me thinking it’s almost annual torte time, come September woo hoo! 🙌
Annual torte time – now that is something to ponder on 🙂
Wow! What a find..don’t let them go to the wasp and bees
These look a similar size to, but different from the entirely golden yellow mirabelle plum, which we have three free sources of. So far, one has already offered us a kilo or more of fruits, while the other two, in more sheltered situatons, are not QUITE there yet. I’m a real patron of any free food on offer out there!
Defiitely yes to free food!
treasures!
Oh, gosh, yes, get back there quick! Love stewed plums with Greek yoghurt for breakfast.
They sound delicious – I hope you do manage to get some more before the pesky wasps help themselves!
That fruit looks delicious. I hope you picked some to take home.
How Beautiful…..I wonder if they work well with vodka? x
Now there’s a thought. I bet they would 🙂
Don’t they look luscious!!
Luscious is exactly the word GP.
oh my goodness how incredible – how on earth did you forget to go back?!!
That’s a very good question!
Oh, how wonderful!
How luscious!
Tree ripened fruit is so much juicier than shop fruit.
Yes, shop fruit can often be v. disappointing.
What a delicious find, Tish!
Fab! A most delicious find
Oh yum! Free food. 😀
Yep, I went and gathered bag full this morning. Caught them just in time. How are you doing, Widders. Been thinking about you.
On first glance I thought – apples, but those plums look so good, Tish.
I gathered some windfalls today, and they are good!