59. Reine Claude de Bavey - Gage
Season : Flowers April, Fruit September
Pollination : Self Fertile
Prunus domestica 'Reine Claude de Bavay'
Gages are a form of old fashioned European plums. They have a very distinct flavour, and this one no less so.
These are the ones normally grown commercially - and the flavour may suffer because they are picked underripe.
Whilst these may lack some of the finesse of the ‘Old Green Gage’ variety, they are easier to grow, crop more reliably, and will taste nearly as good if allowed to ripen fully.
The fruit is medium-sized, and green/yellow when ripe. Rated by Victorian author Hogg as "a first rate dessert plum of exquisite flavour".
A true flavoured gage that is a reliable cropper
Part of the Reine Claude group of plums, known in France since the Middle Ages. Reine Claude de Bavay is thought to originate from Belgium in the 19th century, and was possibly raised by Major Esperen of Mechelen in northern Belgium, who was also responsible for the well-known pear variety Josephine de Malines.