Prunus domestica 'Tommy's Island Gage' (D)

RHS Plant Profile
greengage 'Tommy's Island Gage'
Plants for pollinators
Fruit Edible Trees

A reliable and heavy-cropping greengage tree with green foliage and white flowers in spring. Fruit appears in unusual bunches, similar to that of a plum tree. Can be trained into a bush or cordon or grown in a container but container-grown trees will need more care. Fruits are sweet and juicy and can be eaten freshly picked or made into jams and chutneys. Self-fertile, pollination group C

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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
Unresolved
Horticultural Group
Dessert cherries are sweet and juicy and are best eaten picked fresh and raw

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moist, but well-drained soil in full sun. Suitable for cordons. Keep a weed-free area of at least 60cm radius around trunk. Thin fruit if necessary. Irrigate in dry periods., especially if container grown and protect from frost, especially when in flower. See gage cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by chip budding or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Edible fruit
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Young trees should be pruned annually in early spring, after buds open. Established trees should be pruned in summer. See pruning plums for further advice

Pests

May be susceptible to plum aphid, caterpillars, fruit tree red spider mite, brown scale, plum moth and bullfinches

Diseases

May be susceptible to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and honey fungus