greengage 'Reine-claude Vraie'
gage (syn. Old Green Gage)
This plant is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.
- Position: full sun
- Soil: moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: slow
- Flowering period: May
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Noted for the exceptional flavour of its fruit, this variety is considered by many to produce the sweetest, most succulent and juicy plums. It's true to say that there are other greengages that will produce a heavier crop of larger berries, but once you have tasted the fruits, you won't regret adding this greengage to the collection.
When planting your gage, prepare a hole up to three times the diameter of its root system. Fork over the base of the pit in readiness, incorporating plenty of organic matter into the backfill and planting hole. Avoiding frozen and waterlogged soil, trees should be planted out as they arrive. If you've ordered a bare root tree, soak the roots in a bucket of water for half an hour prior to planting, or if this is not possible, they can be heeled in temporarily, covering their roots with soil, or potted up. Protect from cold, drying winds. Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring to support growth and fruiting. Lightly prune in summer to reduce the risk of silver leaf and bacterial canker, to retain an open ‘goblet’ shape and remove any damaged, diseased or broken branches.