About
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.
About the 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
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeFruit Edible, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow 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
PruningYoung trees should be pruned annually in early spring, after buds open. Established trees should be pruned in summer. See pruning plums for further advice
PropagationPropagate by chip budding or grafting
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to plum aphid, caterpillars, fruit tree red spider mite, brown scale, plum moth and bullfinches
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and honey fungus