
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.
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.
Offspring of this variety
Visitor reviews
- 04 Mar 2014 CA, United StatesThis 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 KingdomI'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 KingdomMine wont flower either. Don't know what I'm doing wrong, if anything.
- 03 Jun 2011 HAMPSHIRE, United KingdomI 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 StatesI 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
United States
- David A Dawson in Solsberry, INDIANA
- KC in Littleton, COLORADO
- Michael Le Boulluec in Glen Rock, PA
- Michelle Williams in Glenwood, SUSSEX COUNTY,NJ
- Mike in Glen Rock, PA
- Mike Betts in Grattan Township, MICHIGAN/KENT
- pa_docent@yahoo.com in Waco, TX
- Peter in Johnson City, TN
- Robert Crandall in Capac, MICHIGAN
United Kingdom
- Angela Rouse in London, GREATER LONDON
- Billy Auger in Hopton Wafers, SHROPSHIRE
- Bob Fotheringham in Doncaster, SOUTH YORKSHIRE
- Christine Pochin in Leicester, LEICESTERSHIRE
- David Lumb in Old Buckenham, NORFOLK
- Davidjohndawkins in Ely, CAMBS
- Graham Hinchliffe in Eastbourne, EAST SUSSEX
- Helen Carrick in RIVENHALL, WITHAM, ESSEX
- Ian in Sittingbourne, KENT
- James Kidd in Hightae, DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY
- Jean Lippett in Martock, SOMERSET
- Jeff in Leicester,
- John in Malmesbury, WILTSHIRE
- Mark in Ipswich, SUFFOLK
- Michael Portelli in LOUGHBOROUGH, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
- Michelle Smith in Dartford, KENT
- Mrs Sophie Wiles in Flamborough, EAST YORKSHIRE
- Mrs Stephanie Bond in Stourton Caundle, DORSET
- Nick Middleditch in Gloucester, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
- Paul Mckean in Southport, MERSEYSIDE
- stanwatt2008@hotmail.co.uk in Gardenstown, ABERDEENSHIRE
- Valerie Bhattacharjee in Wool, Wareham, DORSET
- Will Russell in NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE
Germany
- Nick Baile in Bruehl,
Greece
- Xenophon Alexopoulos in Gardiki Souliou, THESPROTIA
Ireland
- Ute Bohnsack in Kilfenora, CLARE
Italy
- Sarah in Fiesole, TUSCANY
Canada
- Gordon Thompson in Orangeville, ONTARIO
- Jeannine Caldbeck in Thetis Island, BRITISH COLUMBIA
- Larry And Ann Carr in Scotch Creek, BC
Australia
- Leanne in Crabtree, TAS
- Neville in Tea Tree Gully, SA
- Stephen Boardman in Acton Park, TAS
- Stephen Boardman in Acton Park, TAS
New Zealand
- Robert Mcbride in Tapanui, OTAGO
Poland
- Richard in Krakow,
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
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
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:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA) United States
Old Green Gage gage trees - Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Old Green Gage gage trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Old Green Gage:
United States
Indiana
- Harker Family Farms & Orchard, Waldron