Greengages are widely grown in Western Europe yet seem to have gone out of fashion in the UK. Anna Pavord calls them “most ambrosial of all tree fruit” (1), and David Karp describes them as “the best fruit in the world” (2).

According to some horticulturists, Greengages are a sub-species of gages, scientifically named Prunus domestica (subsp. italica var. claudiana.) (3). Generally, they are green, but some can be blush, purple, or even have blue tinges. A few British cultivars are Bryanston & Cambridge Gage, Golden Transparent, Laxton’s Supreme.

They have beautiful white blossoms in the spring, ideal for many pollinators, and they are full of their fruit in late summer! When ripe, their flavour is intense, the most incredible plum one has ever tasted. You must try one, or two or more. The wildlife love them, that must say something.

I made haste when I was allowed to take the fruit from this beautiful tree. I froze it and have made 34 jars of Jam, some chutneys and a few crumbles. My family’s Christmas hamper prep is coming on!

These are truly beautiful trees and should be considered more in any garden or landscape scheme.

AJ

1. Plum job: A juicy guide to greengages and plums | The Independent | The Independent
2. A Finicky Fruit Is Sweet When Coddled – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
3. Prunus domestica ‘Old English Greengage’ |plum ‘Reine-Claude Vraie’/RHS Gardening
4. Pic of Fruit on tree https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/old-greengage-southern-fruit-trees–397231629632060932/
5. Pic of fruit in blossom https://d1zkpmdxaytijy.cloudfront.net/1fb0e2878adb7f31f46b25cb93dba7fa0b951590.jpg