Autumn 2025 planting seasonPre-order now for delivery in autumn 2025 / winter 2026.

Reine Claude de Bavay gage trees

Prunus domestica
Reine Claude de Bavay plums
Reine Claude de Bavay is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Late Early September
  • Self-fertility: Self-fertile
  • Flowering group: 3

If you've ever bought green gages from a supermarket in the UK or western Europe, they are almost certainly Reine Claude de Bavay. Don't worry if you were disappointed with the flavour - you can solve that problem by growing your own!

Whilst a purist might prefer Old Green Gage, Reine Claude de Bavay also has the distinctive gage flavour, but is easier to grow. Cropping is more reliable, but as with all gages, not heavy.

The fruit is medium-sized, and green/yellow when ripe. Rated by Victorian author Hogg as "a first rate dessert plum of exquisite flavor".

Bio / Organic  fruit trees

Reine Claude de Bavay organic gage trees for sale

  • Half-standard (2 years)tree on St. Julien A rootstock35.00€
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years) Bare-root
EU delivery countries
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • France
  • Germany
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Slovakia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
Delivery chargesClick here to view estimated delivery charges.

Growing and Training

Although easier to grow than many gages, Reine Claude de Bavay still benefits from a sheltered south-facing position if possible.


History

Reine Claude de Bavay is thought to originate from Belgium in the 19th century, and was possibly raised by Major Esperen of Mechelen in northern Belgium, who was also responsible for the well-known pear variety Josephine de Malines.


Reine Claude de Bavay characteristics

  • Gardening skillAverage
  • Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
  • Flowering group3
  • Disease resistanceAverage
  • Picking seasonLate - Early September
  • Season of use1-3 days
  • Food usesEating freshCulinary
  • Cold hardiness (USDA)Zone 5 (-29C)
  • Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
  • Country of originBelgium
  • Period of origin1850 - 1899
  • Flower colourWhite
  • Fruit colourGreen