Spring 2024 seasonYou can order trees for delivery from January 2024.
Trained Trees banner logoPre-trained fruit trees from Keepers Nursery in association with Orange Pippin

Reine Claude de Bavay

Reine Claude de Bavay
Reine Claude de Bavay is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • 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 flavor - 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 flavor, 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".

Trained Reine Claude de Bavay plum trees for sale

  • Tree form iconLarge Fan (starter) tree £45.00
    Supplied with 2 primary arms for training on as a fan. Approx mature size: 3m-4m wide and up to 2.5m high. bare-root.
    Sold-out for this season

Growing and Training

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


Reine Claude de Bavay characteristics

  • Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
  • Flowering group3
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • Picking period (southern UK)early September
  • CroppingGood
  • Keeping1-3 days
  • Food usesEating freshCulinary
  • Disease resistanceAverage
  • Country of originBelgium
  • Period of origin1850 - 1899
  • Fruit colourGreen