Prunus domestica 'Tommy's Island Gage' (D)
greengage 'Tommy's Island Gage'
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
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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
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | White | Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | Green | ||
Autumn | ||||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical 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
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
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