The Jefferson gage was raised in Albany, New York in the 1820s and named in honour of President Jefferson. The parentage is not certain but it is possibly Coe's Golden Drop, which it resembles in appearance and flavour.
Jefferson is variously recorded as a gage or a plum, reflecting the uncertainty in nomenclature between plums and gages. We have ranked it amongst the gages primarily because it has "that" flavour which is found in gages but not plums. However it does have some plum-like characteristics, for example the growth habit of the tree is somewhat more vigorous and productive (in good conditions) than other gages. In temperate climates it is responds well to wall-training.
The flavour of Jefferson is very good. Whilst gages are traditionally considered to have a finer flavour than plums, we have a suspicion that the best flavours in the plum world are often to be found amongst the plum-like gages, a category which Jefferson probably falls into. Jefferson has the rich sweet flavour of gages but with a bit of sharpness to give the flavour some backbone. It is also very juicy, and is a very enjoyable fruit to eat fresh from the tree. The skin is a bit tough - but this is a minor criticism. A further benefit of Jefferson is that the fruits will hang on the tree for several weeks so you can pick a few each day.
All in all, Jefferson is a really excellent plum / gage variety. If you were intending to plant a few plum trees, Jefferson is definitely worth consideration.
Jefferson gage identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Jefferson
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.
Parents and other ancestors of this variety
- Coe's Golden Drop (parent)
Visitor reviews
- 06 Sep 2013 United KingdomI agree with the tasting notes, great flavour, but very shy cropping
Tree register
United Kingdom
- Alison Quinsey in Beccles, SUFFOLK
- Jean Lippett in Martock, SOMERSET
- Nadine Davies in LEEDS, WEST YORKSHIRE
- Richard Borrie in York, YORKSHIRE
Ireland
- Ute Bohnsack in Kilfenora, CLARE
Spring blossom records for this variety
2018 season
- 18th April 2018 - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom
2017 season
- 26th March 2017 - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom
2016 season
- 5th April 2016 - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom
2013 season
- 19th April 2013 - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom
2012 season
- 29th March 2012 - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom
2011 season
- 6th April 2011 - tree owned by Richard in York, United Kingdom
2010 season
- 15th 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
Origins
- Species: Prunus domestica - European plum
- Parentage: Washington and/or Coe's Golden Drop
- Originates from: Albany, New York, United States
- Introduced: 1820s
- Developed by: Judge Buel
Identification
- Awards: RHS AGM (current)
- Country of origin: United States
- Period of origin: 1800 - 1849
- Fruit colour: Yellow
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Popularity: Best sellers
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
- Leaf/Flower sequence: Leaves and Flowers appear together
Using
- Cling-stone: Freestone
- Picking season: Late
- Keeping (of fruit): 1-3 days
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Cropping: Good
- Fruit persistence: Ripens over a period
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Picking month: September
- Picking period: mid-September
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 2
- Pollinating others: Good
- Vigour: Vigorous
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Organic culture: Suitable
- Attractive features: Attractive fruit
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
Climate
- Frost resistance of blossom: Good resistance
- 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)
- Cold hardiness (RHS): H5 (to -15C)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Good
- Brown rot: Some resistance
- Silverleaf: Some resistance
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Jefferson gage trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Jefferson 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.