Prunus domestica subsp. italica (D)
greengage
A small, twiggy, deciduous tree generally with arching or drooping branches. It has white blossom in early spring followed in late summer or early autumn by sweet, juicy fruits with golden or greenish-yellow flesh and green or yellow skin. Many cultivated varieties of gage have been developed from this subspecies.
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Gold Green Yellow | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a warm, sheltered position; suitable for fan-training on a south- or west-facing wall. See gage cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by chip budding or grafting onto a rootstock for fruit. The rootstock will largely determine the vigour of the tree
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Wildlife gardens
- Edible fruit
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Prune regularly depending on how the tree is trained – see pruning plums. Train fan-trained trees in spring. Pruning established fans is carried out in early summer and after harvest
Pests
May be susceptible to plum aphid, red spider mite and winter moth caterpillar. The fruit can be damaged by plum moth caterpillars, wasps and birds
Diseases
May be susceptible to silver leaf, bacterial canker and blossom wilt. The fruit can be affected by brown rot. Protect flowers against late frost damage
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.