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.