Prunus domestica Des Béjonnières - Common plum

Prunus domestica Des Béjonnières is a vigorous, self-fertile variety with abundant and regular harvests. It produces a medium-sized, round fruit, with fine, yellow-gold skin with red spots and dots. Its translucent yellow flesh is firm, juicy, melting and pleasantly sweet, with an apricot flavour. Harvesting begins in early August, and the fruits can be eaten as they ripen. It is a pleasant fruit to enjoy fresh, cooked in sweet-savoury recipes, or preserved. This self-fertile variety has proven its good resistance to diseases, especially the plum moth, known as the codling moth. It adapts well to ordinary, filtering, fresh, deep, and rich soil, not too chalky and without stagnant moisture.

Prunus domestica (Common Plum) is a fruit tree belonging to the Rosaceae family, just like the apricot tree, the almond tree, and the peach tree. It is native to Syria, where it sometimes grows up to 1000 metres (3281 feet) in altitude. The Des Béjonnières variety was selected in 1827 by Monsieur André Leroy (1801-1875), a universalist and innovative nurseryman from Anjou.

Prunus domestica Des Béjonnières forms a fruit tree with a fairly rounded framework that can reach a final height of about 5 metres (16 feet), producing numerous branches grouped in spreading crowns. Its habit is well suited to free forms on high, half, or low stems. Its deciduous foliage consists of obovate leaves, 6 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) long, with crenate and dentate edges, slightly hairy underneath, and dark green. Towards the end of March or beginning of April, white, 1.5 to 2.5 cm (1in) in diameter flowers, appear solitarily before the leaves, on the previous year's branches. The flowering is sensitive to spring frosts, but it is so abundant that frost rarely affects the harvest. It has a remarkably decorative blossom in spring, particularly attractive to bees and nectar-loving insects. It is hardy down to -20°C. This variety is self-fertile, so it does not need a companion to bear fruit, but the presence of another plum tree variety nearby will increase production.

Prunus domestica Des Béjonnières is a fertile variety that bears fruit quickly. The fruits are harvested throughout August, as they ripen. Since plums are quite delicate, they should be carefully harvested with a picking pole or manually with a ladder. On average, a plum tree yields between 25 and 50 kilograms of fruit per year. The fruits are consumed immediately after harvesting. They are medium-sized, ovoid, 3 to 4 cm (1 to 2in) diameter plums, with delicious and juicy flesh. The plums can be eaten fresh from the tree, raw or mixed in a fruit salad, or used in desserts. They are also exquisite in clafoutis, cakes, crumbles, or pies, and as an accompaniment to savoury dishes with white meats (turkey, chicken, veal, etc.) or tagines. They are also perfect for making jams, compotes, or preserved in syrup.

Plums are a light and balancing fruit. They are low in calories and rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium, with a significant iron content. Their content of vitamins C, B, E, and K, phenolic antioxidants, and fibre make plums a healthy choice. They are invigorating, energizing, and rehydrating. The fruits only keep for a few days at room temperature. However, they can be frozen once washed, dried, and pitted or preserved in jams or syrup.

Prunus domestica Des Béjonnières is a mirabelle plum, an extremely versatile variety in its culinary uses, and its advantages as a fruit tree make it a preferred choice. Under good conditions, it is easy to grow, generous in fruit, and resistant to diseases. Extremely popular, thanks to its fruits, the plum tree is loved by young and old alike. With a wide range of varieties, it is easy to find one that suits.