Greengage Plum
European Plum
 
Fruit ripening time: February
 
An unsurpassed flavour, and often regarded as the best plum flavour, the greengage is an exceptional fruit. Described as intense, syrupy sweet and honeyed, with a balance of acidity that creates a very pleasant flavour.
 
The plums are small in size and quite round. The skin is thin and a dull-green colour, becoming slightly more yellow when ripe. 
 
Can tend towards biannual cropping. Thinning young fruitlets will improve fruit flavour and ensure more consistent crop yields. 
 
Uses: Excellent fresh eating. Can also be used in cooking, salads, and preserves and the flavour pairs well with chocolate, vanilla, tropical and citrus fruits. 
 
Storage: Do not store well, and generally last 1 to 3 days when they are ripe. Plums generally have a short storage time and are best kept refrigerated. However, the fruit will ripen on the tree over a period of 1 to 2 weeks, ensuring that fresh fruit can still be enjoyed for a good length of time.
 
Greengage is partially self-fertile. However, crop yield is increased when a suitable pollinator is present. Flowering Group 4
 
Pollinators: Angelina, Coe’s Golden Drop, King Billy, D’Agen, President, Purple Gage, Victoria
 
Tree Size: Approximately 3 - 5 m tall and 4 m wide, depending on the shape.
 
Tree Care:
For best results plant in full sun, in fertile, free draining soil, preferably a friable loam with good aeration. 
 
If the soil is free draining, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball, plant the tree so the top of the root ball is level with the soil line and back fill with a soil and compost mixture. If the soil is not free draining, plant the tree in a raised mound of soil and compost mix, to prevent water logging.
Choose a sheltered position, out of strong winds. 
 
Water in well at planting, and water regularly, especially in dry spells. Young trees will benefit from being mulched. Apply mulch in a ring around the tree base, keeping clear of the trunk.
 
Plums are produced on spurs on 2-year and older wood. Prune in dry weather in winter, to shape your tree and develop a good framework.