Gages
Gages were first developed in France from the green wild plum. They were
allegedly brought over from France by the Gage family which is where they
receive their English name from.
Gages are small oval fruits which have smooth-textured flesh with yellow to
green coloured skins. They are considered one of the finest dessert plums
because of their rich flavour.
Gages are early flowering so they require protection from frost. The best
flavoured gages are the ones grown on a south or west facing position. Grow in
moderately fertile, moist, well-drained neutral to slightly acidic soils.
Rootstocks
Rootstocks in order of their vigour are outlined below: -
Pixy - Dwarf. An ideal
rootstock for the smaller garden. It needs to be grown in fertile and weed-free
soil. It will reach a height of 2.4-3m. Trees grown on this rootstock will bear
fruit within 3 years. Use for dwarf bushes, dwarf pyramids, and small fans.
St. Julian A - Semi-Vigorous.
A good rootstock for most soils. Trees grown on this rootstock will reach a
height of 3-3.5m. Trees grown on this rootstock will bear fruit within 4-5
years. Use for bushes, half-standards, and fans.
Varieties
Gages are available as bare-root one-year-maidens from November to March.
Trained forms of gages are available in 12 litre pots all-year-round.
Gage ‘Cambridge’
Dessert. Small round fruits which have greenish yellow skin with light bloom,
some fruits are covered with patches and dots of red. The greenish yellow flesh
is juicy, sweet and rich. Its season of use is late August. (Cambridgeshire)
Flowering Group 3. Self Fertile
Bare Root Trees
One Year Maiden Pixy £22.50 each
Gage ‘Coe's Golden Drop’
Dessert. Large oval fruits which have straw coloured skin with reddish brown
marks and covered in cinnamon bloom. The golden yellow flesh is tender, very
juicy, sweet, and highly flavoured. Its season of use is late September.
(Suffolk 18th Century) Flowering Group 2. Self Fertile
Bare Root Trees
Two Year 1/2 Standard SJA £27.50 each
Gage ‘Dennistons Superb’
Dessert. “Imperial Gage”. Medium sized, round fruits which have pale
yellowish green skin with a red flush, and covered in lavender bloom. The yellow
flesh is firm, moderately juicy, rich, sugary, with a delicious flavour. The
most reliable cropping gage. High yields. Recommended for Midlands and Northern
regions. Its season of use is late August. (USA 19th Century) Flowering Group 2.
Self Fertile
Bare Root Trees
Two Year 1/2 Standard SJA £27.50 each
Gage ‘Early Transparent’
Dessert. Small round fruits which have yellow-green flesh and red dots, with
a light primrose bloom. The yellow flesh is juicy, very sweet, with a good gage
flavour. Its season of use is early August. (Hertfordshire 19th Century)
Flowering Group 3. Self Fertile
Bare Root Trees
One Year Maiden Pixy £22.50 each Available
to Order for Supply in Late November 2013
Gage ‘Jefferson’
Dessert. A medium sized round fruit which has greenish yellow skin ripening
to a rich golden yellow with a pink flush. The light yellow flesh is very juicy,
and delicious. Its season of use is early August. (USA 19th Century) Flowering
Group 1. Pollinated by Denniston's Superb
Gage ‘Old Greengage’
Dessert. The fruit is medium sized, round, and a little flattened at both
ends. When ripe the yellowish green skin becomes deeper yellow, clouded with
green, marked with crimson spots, and covered with a thin ash-grey bloom. The
greenish yellow flesh is tender, melting, and very juicy, with a rich, sugary,
and delicious flavour. Freestone. Its season of use is early to mid-August. (UK
1500's) Flowering Group 3. Self Fertile
Bare Root Trees
Two Year Bush Pixy £26.50 each
Containerised Trees
Two Year Bush (SJA) £36.30 each
Gage ‘Oullins Golden’
Dessert/Cooker. The fruit is large and oval shaped. The skin is a rich yellow
colour with crimson dots on the exposed side and covered with a very delicate
white bloom. The yellow flesh is very tender and juicy, rich, sugary, and
delicious, adhering slightly to the stone. Its season of use is mid-August. Self
Fertile. (France 1860) Flowering Group 4
Bare Root Trees
Two Year Bush Pixy £26.50 each Available
to Order for Supply in Late November 2013
Two Year Bush SJA £24.50 each Available to
Order for Supply in Late November 2013
Two Year 1/2 Standard SJA £27.50 each
Available to Order for Supply in Late November 2013
Containerised Trees
Two Year Bush (SJA) £36.30 each
Gage ‘Reine Claude de Bavay’
Dessert/Cooker. The fruit is large, roundish and flattened at both ends. The
skin is greenish yellow, mottled and streaked with green, with crimson dots on
the exposed side and covered with a very delicate white bloom. The yellow flesh
is tender and very juicy, rich, and sugary, separating from the stone. Its
season of use is early September. Self Fertile. (Belgium 1832) Flowering Group 2
Gage ‘Stella's Star’
Dessert/Cooker. New variety which produces heavy crops of sweet, juicy,
greengages from a young age, the fruit turns slightly yellow when ripe. Suitable
for colder areas and is more resistant to frost. Its season of use is early
August. Flowering Group 3. Self Fertile.
Bare Root Trees
One Year Maiden SJA £21.00 each Available
to Order for Supply in Late November 2013
Gage ‘Willingham’
Dessert. As with the Old Green Gage form this was selected by the RHS for its
good cropping and excellent quality. One of the finest eating qualities. Its
season of use is mid-August. (Cambridgeshire) Flowering Group 3. Self Fertile
Bare Root Trees
One Year Maiden SJA £20.25 each Available
to Order for Supply in Late November 2013
