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Reine Claude Doree plum trees

Prunus domestica
Reine Claude Doree
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Reine Claude Doree is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Late
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
  • Flowering group: 3

Reine Claude Doree is a traditional French gage, very similar to Old Green Gage. Indeed it is probably the ancestor of all the green gages, although when ripe Reine Claude Doree takes on an attractive green-golden hue which is only occasionally apparent in the English green gages.

The flavour is generally regarded as amongst the best of all plums and gages.

Reine Claude Doree plum trees for sale

Pot-grown

All pot-grown trees are suitable for planting out in the garden, some are suitable for growing in containers.

  • PG12-year bush-trained 12L pot-grown tree St. Julien rootstock £62.00
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
    Please try next season

Bare-root

  • BR11-year bare-root tree St. Julien rootstock £38.75
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
    Please try next season
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Delivery charges

Delivery for a single tree starts at £9.95, it is calculated based on your postcode.

Fruit tree delivery to EuropeEU delivery
This variety is also available for delivery to Europe. Contact us for details.

Growing and Training

Reine Claude Doree is generally easy to grow, particularly compared to other gages. It is quite a vigorous tree, with a somewhat vertical habit until fruiting starts (when the weight of fruit naturally pulls down the branches).

It is heavier-cropping than most gages, and can lapse into biennial bearing (fruiting in alternate years) if allowed to over-crop. Thinning of the fruitlets in June reduces this tendency, although thinning plum fruitlets by hand is a tedious job. However it also improves fruit size and quality.

History

The green and yellow-skinned gages are effectively a sub-species of European plums, named after Sir William Gage who imported a batch of these trees from France to England in the 18th century. In France they are known as Reine Claude plums, and there are numerous varieties, all closely related.

The origins of Reine Claude Doree are confused but it appears to be one of the oldest forms of French Green Gage, and possibly the ancestor of all modern green gages. It almost certainly pre-dates the spread of Green Gages into the English-speaking world.

It is known to have been grown in south-west France in the 18th century but is thought to be much older.


Reine Claude Doree characteristics

Growing

  • Gardening skillExperienced
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Flowering group3
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesWarm climates

Using

  • Picking seasonLate
  • CroppingHeavy
  • Keeping (of fruit)1-3 days
  • Food usesEating freshCulinary

Problems

  • Disease resistanceAverage

Identification

  • Country of originFrance
  • Period of origin1750 - 1799
  • Blossom colourWhite
  • Fruit colourGreen

British-grown trees Trees grown in the UK.

Unlike many garden centres and online retailers, the vast majority of our fruit trees are grown in the UK. Find out more.

In addition, all our trees are certified under the Plant Healthy scheme, supervised by the Plant Health Alliance. Other stakeholders include Defra and the RHS. The scheme aims to improve UK biosecurity by setting standards for all growers and retailers involved in selling plants in the UK. Find out more
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Guaranteed fruit trees

When you buy your fruit tree from Orange Pippin Fruit Trees we guarantee it for the first season in your garden whilst it gets established. If it doesn't grow successfully, we'll either replace it the following season or offer a refund - subject to some conditions. Find out more.

This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 2022.