Greengage
Greengage
Prunus domestica subsp. italica
📋Quick Facts
Height
3.5-5.0m
Spread
3.0-4.5m
Cropping Timeline
Greengages on St Julien A rootstock begin bearing around year three to four. They have a reputation for being slightly less reliable croppers than common plums, partly because they flower early and are susceptible to frost damage. A sheltered, sunny spot makes a real difference. The flavour of a ripe greengage straight from the tree is extraordinary — honeyed and complex, far superior to anything you will find in a shop. Most varieties benefit from a pollination partner; Cambridge Gage is partially self-fertile.
About
Exceptionally sweet, dense-fleshed plums prized for dessert use.
Pest Resilience
Plum moth and silver leaf can affect it; similar pest profile to plums.
Companion Planting
Visual Characteristics
Culinary
Fresh eating, jams, tarts, compotes, preserving in syrup, liqueurs
The greengage year in your garden
How to Propagate
Hardiness Zones
USDA 6 equivalent