Coe's Golden Drop gage
According to Hogg, writing at the end of the 19th century, this plum was raised by Jervaise Coe, a market gardener living in Suffolk at the end of the 18th century who developed several plum varieties of which Golden Drop has been the most successful.
Coe stated that he raised it from a Green Gage pollinated by a White Magnum Bonum (a large culinary plum). Whilst Coe's Golden Drop has the sweet rich gage-like flavour, it seems to benefit from being balanced somewhat by the acidic qualities of its other parent which prevent it becoming over-sweet. If there is a recipe for perfect flavour in the plum world, the marriage of the old Green Gage with a true plum is probably the best place to start.
Whilst pure gages are invariably small and round, Coe's Golden Drop has the slightly oval appearance common to many plums. The fruit is also relatively large - certainly by gage standards. It can be kept in a fridge for more than a week, which is very unusual for any plum - although the combination of its excellent fresh flavour and the fact that it is not a particularly good cropper means you probably won't have enough to be worth keeping.
If you can't find Coe's Golden Drop, it is worth looking out for Jefferson - Coe's Golden Drop is thought to be one of the parents, and Jefferson has a similarly good flavour but is a bit easier to grow.
Coe's Golden Drop gage identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Coe's Golden Drop
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
- 18 Feb 2017 DavidAustraliaGlorious plum, makes wonderful eating and an enchanting gold coloured jam Unfortunately we humans are not the only fans, lots of birds possums and even wallabies are keen on it as well, so good netting is essential in my part of the world
- 23 Aug 2011 Steve WhitbreadLONDON, United KingdomOf the various excellent plums and gages we grow, this is easily the best of the later season varieties. When fully ripe it has a sweet but deep flavour and perfume, with an almost jellied texture to the flesh that you'll never find in a shop-bought plum. If you have a warm, sheltered spot available in your plot, fill it with a golden drop of Heaven.
Tree register
United States
- Axel Kratel in Santa Cruz, CALIFORNIA
- Gil Schieber in Snohomish, WASHINGTON
United Kingdom
- Alan Elsbury in Chippenham, WILTSHIRE
- Angela Beech in Peterborough, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
- Dave Hoare in HADDENHAM, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
- Dr Mairi Rennie in Petersfield, WEST SUSSEX
- Edward Evans in MANNINGTREE, SUFFOLK
- Graham Silcocks in Hatherop, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
- Jean Lippett in Martock, SOMERSET
- John Halliday in Congleton, CHESHIRE
Australia
- Evan in Launceston, TASMANIA
- Leanne in Crabtree, TAS
- Neville in Tea Tree Gully, SA
- Stephen Boardman in Acton Park, TAS
- Stephen Boardman in Acton Park, TAS
- Warren in Cobram, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
Spring blossom records for this variety
2017 season
- 29th September 2017 - tree owned by Neville in Tea Tree Gully, Australia
2016 season
- 27th September 2016 - tree owned by Neville in Tea Tree Gully, Australia
2015 season
- 20th September 2015 - tree owned by Neville in Tea Tree Gully, Australia
- March 2015 - tree owned by Gil in Snohomish, United States
2011 season
- 15th April 2011 - tree owned by Dr in Petersfield, United Kingdom
- 19th March 2011 - tree owned by Alan in Chippenham, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
Origins
- Species: Prunus domestica - European plum
- Parentage: Green Gage x White Magnum Bonum
- Originates from: Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1800
- Developed by: Jervaise Coe
Identification
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Period of origin: 1800 - 1849
- Fruit colour: Yellow
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
Using
- Cling-stone: Freestone
- Picking season: Very late
- Keeping (of fruit): 1 week
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Cropping: Light
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Food uses: Culinary
- Picking period: early September
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Experienced
- Flowering group: 2
- Pollinating others: Average
- Vigour: Slightly large
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Growth habit: Spreading / Flat-topped
- Attractive features: Attractive fruit
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Warm climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Average
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Coe's Golden Drop gage trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Coe's Golden Drop gage trees - Thomas Fruit Trees (EU) France
Coe's Golden Drop gage trees
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.