New Zealand gardening guru Lynda Hallinan’s new book pays loving homage to the heirloom English damson plum, with practical growing advice and 75+ recipes. Long prized for hedgerow foraging and home orchards, the damson is a small plum with a huge cult following among modern bakers, nostalgic jam makers, gourmet food producers and damson gin drinkers!

Lynda reveals how to propagate, plant, prune and care for these heritage fruit trees with practical chapters covering the damson’s genetic history, a variety guide, pest and disease control, tree planting tips and the art of pruning.

From Beatrix Potter to Katherine Mansfield, the damson has long inspired authors, artists, cooks and gardeners, and Lynda interviews dozens of damson disciples around the world, from woodturners crafting “treespoons” to fruit pit carvers, pick-your-own fruit farmers, brewers, and damson ketchup makers.

Damsons are unique among plums, being fully self-fertile (one tree is all you need), prolific fruiting and full of tangy flavour. Damson: from hedgerow to harvest is the ultimate guide to using damsons in the kitchen, with a delectable selection of preserving recipes, high tea treats and extra helpings of damsons for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and drinks.

This beautiful hardcover book features original watercolour illustrations by American artist Linden Eller and full-colour photography by British photographer Alun Callender, New Zealand photographer Sally Tagg and Lynda Hallinan.