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Denniston's Superb plum

Denniston's Superb

Although usually classed as a plum, Denniston's Superb is clearly related to the Reine Claude group of plums also known as gages and has been classified as such in the past.  It is perhaps best considered as a gage-like plum.  The plums are fairly small, round, and green - just like a green gage.  Considered by the Victorian writer Hogg as "a first-rate dessert plum".  The flavor also has the honeyed-sweetness which is characteristic of gages.  The only downside is the skin, which can be slightly tough, and for cooking is best removed by blanching.

Although the fruit resembles a green gage, Denniston's Superb grows more like a plum tree, with good disease resistance and it is generally a good cropper.  This combination makes it a good choice for the gardener who wants gage-like fruit without the horticultural difficulties often associated with gages.

Denniston's Superb plum identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

  • Denniston's Superb
  • Denniston's Superb
  • Denniston's Superb

USDA identification images for Denniston's Superb

The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.

    Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.

    Visitor reviews

    • 03 Aug 2012  WORCESTERSHIRE, United States
      Exactly as described by others. "Superb" We have tried for many years to identify our tree, but even the experts at the Pershore Plum Festival were baffled. We found the tree in the walled garden at "Heligan" in Cornwall, took a note of it's name and the Internet confirmed all the characteristics
    • 15 Aug 2011  HERTFORDSHIRE, United Kingdom
      I have two Dennistons Superb trees. The fruit they produce is green until July but then turns a golden green/yellow, almost becomming translucent as the fruit ripens in early August. The ripe fruit can't really be described as green and the photo is of unripe fruit.

    Tree register

    United Kingdom

    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2023 season

    • 29th March  2023  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom

    2022 season

    • 2nd April  2022  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom

    2020 season

    • 26th March  2020  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom

    2018 season

    • 20th April  2018  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom

    2017 season

    • 25th March  2017  - tree owned by Georgia in London, United Kingdom

    2016 season

    • 14th April  2016  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom

    2014 season

    • 3rd April  2014  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom

    2013 season

    • 2nd May  2013  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom

    2012 season

    • 3rd April  2012  - tree owned by Alan in Chippenham, United Kingdom
    • 28th March  2012  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom

    2011 season

    • 8th April  2011  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom
    • 12th March  2011  - tree owned by Alan in Chippenham, United Kingdom

    2010 season

    • 22nd April  2010  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom

    Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.


    Harvest records for this variety

    2018 season

    • 3rd week August  2018  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom

    2017 season

    • 2nd week August  2017  - tree owned by Georgia in London, United Kingdom

    2016 season

    • 3rd week August  2016  - tree owned by Andrew in Potters Bar, United Kingdom

    2011 season

    • 2nd week August  2011  - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom

    Origins

    • Species: Prunus domestica - European plum
    • Originates from: Albany, New York, United States
    • Introduced: 19th century
    • Developed by: Mr Isaac Denniston

    Identification

    • Country of origin: United States
    • Period of origin: 1850 - 1899
    • Fruit colour: Green - light
    • Flower colour: White
    • Leaf colour: Green
    • Popularity: Best sellers
    • Annual cycle: Deciduous
    • Leaf/Flower sequence: Flowers appear first

    Using

    • Picking season: Mid
    • Keeping (of fruit): 1-3 days
    • Flavour quality: Very good
    • Cropping: Good
    • Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
    • Food uses: Eating fresh
    • Food uses: Dual purpose
    • Picking period: mid-August
    • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

    Growing

    • Gardening skill: Beginner
    • Flowering group: 2
    • Pollinating others: Good
    • Vigour: Average vigour
    • Bearing regularity: Regular
    • Growth habit: Upright
    • Organic culture: Suitable
    • Attractive features: Attractive flowers
    • Self-fertility: Self-fertile

    Climate

    • Climate suitability: Temperate climates
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)

    Other qualities

    • Disease resistance: Good

    Where to buy trees

    The following tree nurseries offer Denniston's Superb plum trees for sale:


    Where to buy fresh fruit

    No orchards have registered as growing this variety. If you grow this and want to register please go to our Orchard Registration form.



    References

    • Fruit Expert
      Author: Hessayon

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