How to Grow White Bullace
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White Bullace
Prunus insititia
treeWhite Bullace is a small to medium deciduous fruit tree producing pale yellow or white plums with a distinctive tart flavor. It is a traditional British fruit tree, hardier and more disease-resistant than many plum varieties, and often used for preserves and cooking.
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Example White Bullace timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant White Bullace
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest White Bullace
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact White Bullace dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-8, with excellent cold hardiness in zones 5-6
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Get my White Bullace timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
Years 1-2Young tree develops root system and primary scaffold branches. Tree remains relatively small in first years.
Water consistently, stake if necessary for wind protection, prune only to shape early framework. Avoid heavy fruiting.
Growth & Development
Years 2-4Tree grows vigorously, developing branch structure. Canopy fills out, and tree establishes its basic form.
Remove competing leaders, thin branches to open center for light penetration, fertilize lightly with balanced fertilizer.
Flowering
2-3 weeks in springTree produces abundant white flowers in early spring (March-April in Northern Hemisphere) on spurs along branches.
Do not prune during flowering. Flowers are largely self-fertile but cross-pollination improves yields. Protect from late frosts if possible.
Fruiting & Development
May-August (Northern Hemisphere)Small green fruits develop and gradually enlarge over 3-4 months, eventually turning pale yellow or whitish with a distinctive bloom.
Thin fruits if extremely heavy-bearing to ensure good size. Continue regular watering. Monitor for pests and diseases.
Harvest & Dormancy
August-October harvest; November-March dormancyFruits ripen fully in late summer. Tree enters dormancy in winter with leaf drop.
Harvest fruits at full ripeness. Prune in late winter while dormant to remove dead/diseased wood and maintain shape. Apply dormant oil spray if needed.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Remove infested fruits promptly, apply kaolin clay spray in spring, encourage natural predators like parasitic wasps
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Remove infested fruit, apply spinosad or neem oil at petal fall, shake branches to collect beetles
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings
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Remove mummified fruits, prune to improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, thin fruits to reduce humidity around fruit
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Prune only in summer when cuts heal quickly, disinfect pruning tools, remove infected branches well below the affected area
Uses
Preserves & Jam
CulinaryWhite Bullace plums are traditionally used for jams, jellies, and preserves throughout Britain. Their natural pectin content and tart flavor make them ideal for home preserving and jam-making. [source]
Cooking & Baking
CulinaryThe tart, distinctive flavor makes them excellent for tarts, pies, chutneys, and sauces. They can be stewed as a dessert or used in savory dishes with game or pork. [source]
Dye Production
HouseholdWhite Bullace fruits and leaves can be used to produce natural dyes, yielding purple and blue hues depending on mordants used. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe abundant spring flowers provide early nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Trees also provide fruit for birds and wildlife in autumn. [source]
Traditional Folk Use
MedicinalHistorically used in folk remedies for digestive support and as a mild laxative. Plum juice and stewed fruit have been used traditionally to aid digestion. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Fruits are ready to harvest in late August through September when they turn pale yellow or whitish and feel slightly soft when gently squeezed. For culinary use, harvest when fully ripe. For preserves, harvest when just ripe. Fruits do not ripen well off the tree, so wait for full maturity on the branch. Gently twist or clip individual fruits to avoid damaging spurs.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 White Bullace is one of the hardiest plum varieties and was widely grown in medieval British orchards, with some ancient trees still producing fruit today.
- 🌱 The term 'bullace' likely derives from the French word 'boule' (ball), referring to the round shape of the fruit, and has been used in English since at least the 14th century.
- 🌱 Unlike most plums, White Bullace is largely self-fertile, making it an excellent choice for small gardens where space for multiple pollinators is limited.
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