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Old Green Gage

Old Green Gage

Old Green Gage is the definitive "gage", and often considered the best flavoured of any plum variety.  Compared to the attractive colouring of most plums, the appearance of Old Green Gage fruit is fairly plain - the plums are quite small and a dull green colour, turning slightly yellow when ripe.  However this is one that you grow for flavour - for eating fresh it is exceptional.

Old Green Gage has a fascinating history. The gages are usually included within the European plum species Prunus domestica, but are nevertheless a distinct sub-group, being smaller and more spherical, and green or yellow in colour. They have been cultivated in France since the Middle Ages having been introduced from Italy. In France the many different varieties of green-skinned gages are known collectively as "Reine Claude" in honour of Queen Claude, the wife of Francis I who ruled France from 1515 to 1547. Old Green Gage is believed to be the same variety as the French Grosse Reine Claude.

It is generally thought that Old Green Gage was introduced to England from France in the 18th century by Sir William Gage, who lived at Bury St. Edmunds and obtained a tree from his brother who was a priest living in Paris. As a result of his promotion of this new variety all green plums tend to be known as "Gages" in the UK. However, whilst Sir William is undoubtedly responsible for the English name, and the Old Green Gage in particular, there is some evidence that his was in fact a re-introduction of a variety already widely grown in England known as Verdoch, which may have come to England from Italy in the Middle Ages.

Green-skinned gages were subsequently introduced to the USA in the late 18th century where they are also known as Green Gages.

Old Green Gage gage identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

  • Old Green Gage
  • Old Green Gage
  • Old Green Gage

USDA identification images for Old Green Gage

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

    • 04 Mar 2014  CA, United States
      This article says greengage trees can take up to seven years to fruit. Keep hoping! http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/01/dining/01GREE.html?pagewanted=print&position
    • 13 Jul 2013  SURREY, United Kingdom
      I'm looking to purchase a greengage tree possessing a full sweet flavour and prolific cropping qualities Your advice and any suggestions would be appreciated
    • 21 Apr 2012  Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom
      Mine wont flower either. Don't know what I'm doing wrong, if anything.
    • 03 Jun 2011  HAMPSHIRE, United Kingdom
      I bought a Gage Reinne Claude 3 years ago. It has never blossomed and has never fruited. Am I doing something wrong. I had a tree surgeon prune it to make sure that was correct. Regards
    • 31 Jul 2010  MI, United States
      I was able to buy green gage plums from a fruit stand years ago, and they are hands down the best plum I've ever eaten. I have pined for them ever since.

    Tree register

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    Germany

    Greece

    Ireland

    Italy

    • Sarah in Fiesole, TUSCANY

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    Poland

    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2017 season

    • 29th September  2017  - tree owned by Neville in Tea Tree Gully, Australia

    2016 season

    • 25th September  2016  - tree owned by Neville in Tea Tree Gully, Australia
    • 12th April  2016  - tree owned by pa_docent@yahoo.com in Waco, United States
    • April  2016  - tree owned by Paul in Southport, United Kingdom
    • April  2016  - tree owned by Larry in Scotch Creek, Canada

    2015 season

    • 21st September  2015  - tree owned by Neville in Tea Tree Gully, Australia
    • 24th April  2015  - tree owned by Michael in Glen Rock, United States
    • 20th April  2015  - tree owned by Paul in Southport, United Kingdom

    2014 season

    • 14th April  2014  - tree owned by John in Malmesbury, United Kingdom
    • 7th April  2014  - tree owned by Paul in Southport, United Kingdom

    2013 season

    • 2nd May  2013  - tree owned by Paul in Southport, United Kingdom
    • May  2013  - tree owned by stanwatt2008@hotmail.co.uk in Gardenstown, United Kingdom
    • May  2013  - tree owned by Jeff in Leicester, United Kingdom

    2011 season

    • 15th April  2011  - tree owned by Michelle in Dartford, United Kingdom

    2010 season

    • April  2010  - tree owned by Michelle in Dartford, United Kingdom

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    Harvest records for this variety

    2021 season

    • 4th week August  2021  - tree owned by Bob in Doncaster, United Kingdom

    2016 season

    • 4th week August  2016  - tree owned by Larry in Scotch Creek, Canada
    • August  2016  - tree owned by Mark in Ipswich, United Kingdom

    2015 season

    • 4th week January  2015  - tree owned by Neville in Tea Tree Gully, Australia

    2014 season

    • 4th week August  2014  - tree owned by John in Malmesbury, United Kingdom
    • August  2014  - tree owned by Paul in Southport, United Kingdom

    2013 season

    • 4th week September  2013  - tree owned by stanwatt2008@hotmail.co.uk in Gardenstown, United Kingdom
    • 4th week August  2013  - tree owned by Paul in Southport, United Kingdom

    2011 season

    • 2nd week July  2011  - tree owned by Michelle in Dartford, United Kingdom

    Origins

    • Species: Prunus domestica - European plum
    • Originates from: France
    • Introduced: 16th century

    Identification

    • Country of origin: France
    • Period of origin: 1550 - 1599
    • Fruit colour: Green
    • Flower colour: White
    • Leaf colour: Green
    • Popularity: Best sellers
    • Annual cycle: Deciduous

    Using

    • Picking season: Late
    • Keeping (of fruit): 1-3 days
    • Flavour quality: Exceptional
    • Flavour style (apples): Sweeter
    • Cropping: Good
    • Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
    • Food uses: Eating fresh
    • Picking period: early August
    • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

    Growing

    • Gardening skill: Experienced
    • Flowering group: 3
    • Pollinating others: Average
    • Ploidy: Diploid
    • Vigour: Average vigour
    • Bearing regularity: Regular
    • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

    Climate

    • Frost resistance of blossom: Good resistance
    • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 4 (-34C)
    • 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: Poor
    • Brown rot: Some susceptibility
    • Fruit splitting: Some susceptibility

    Where to buy trees

    The following tree nurseries offer Old Green Gage gage trees for sale:


    Where to buy fresh fruit

    The following orchards grow Old Green Gage:

    United States




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