Willingham Gage is generally considered one of the best flavoured of all gages. It arose in Cambridgeshire in the 19th century and is almost certainly a seedling of Old Green Gage, which is widely grown in that area. Excellent for eating fresh or stewed.
USDA identification images for Willingham
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
- Old Green Gage (parent)
Visitor reviews
Tree register
United Kingdom
- Reach Community Orchard in Cambridge,
- Reach Community Orchard in Cambridge,
- Reach Community Orchard in Cambridge,
- Claire Doble in Leeds,
- Martin Roach in Cambridge,
- Tim Pizey in OXFORD
Spring blossom records for this variety
2023 season
- 7th April 2023 - tree owned by Claire in Leeds, United Kingdom
- 7th April 2023 - tree owned by Claire in Leeds, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Origins
- Species: Prunus domestica - European plum
- Parentage: Old Green Gage
- Originates from: Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 19th century
Identification
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Period of origin: 1800 - 1849
- Fruit colour: Green - light
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
- Flower form: Single flower (5-8 petals)
- Fruit size: Average
- Fruit shape: Round
Using
- Picking season: Late
- Keeping (of fruit): 1-3 days
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Cropping: Good
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Picking month: August
- Picking period: late August
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 3
- Pollinating others: Average
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Sunlight: Prefers full sun
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
- Climate suitability: Warm climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Willingham gage trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Willingham 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.
References
- Catalogue of the plums in the national fruit trials (1978)
Author: ADAS