30. Old Greengage - Dessert Gage
Season : Flowers March - April, Harvest August.
The early flowers are vulnerable to frost
Pollination: Self sterile, Group D
Rootstock: Our tree is grown on ‘Pixy’ rootstock for a smallish tree.
Prunus domestica ‘Old Greengage’
The definitive "gage", and often considered the best flavoured of any plum variety.
The small spherical fruit have a fairly plain green appearance with a light bloom turning more yellow when fully ripe.
It is described by Victorian fruit enthusiast Robert Hogg as "tender, melting, and very juicy, with a rich, sugary and most delicious flavour".
It was introduced to England from France in the 18th century by Sir William Gage of at Bury St. Edmunds. He obtained the tree from his brother who was a priest living in Paris.