How to Grow Greengage Plum 'Reine Claude de Bavay'
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Greengage Plum 'Reine Claude de Bavay'
Prunus domestica subsp. italica 'Reine Claude de Bavay'
fruitReine Claude de Bavay is a premium European greengage plum cultivar known for its exceptional sweetness and delicate flavor. This late-season variety produces medium-sized, golden-green fruits with a tender flesh and exceptional dessert quality. It's a vigorous, spreading tree that requires cross-pollination for optimal fruit set.
When should you plant Greengage Plum 'Reine Claude de Bavay' in your zone?
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Example Greengage Plum 'Reine Claude de Bavay' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Greengage Plum 'Reine Claude de Bavay'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Greengage Plum 'Reine Claude de Bavay'
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-8; needs winter chill (200-300 hours below 45°F)
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Get my Greengage Plum 'Reine Claude de Bavay' timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment (Year 1-2)
24 monthsYoung tree focuses on developing strong root system and branch framework. Limited or no fruiting; vigorous shoot growth.
Stake and secure tree for first 2-3 years. Prune to establish strong central leader or open-center form. Water deeply and regularly. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch, keeping away from trunk.
Juvenile to Productive Transition (Year 2-3)
12-24 monthsTree begins to set flower buds. First flowers may appear; thin heavily to prioritize tree development over fruit.
Remove all or most flowers in year 2-3 to direct energy to growth. Continue structural pruning. Monitor for pests and disease.
Flowering (Late March-April, depending on zone)
2-3 weeksTree produces abundant white flowers in clusters along 2-year-old and older wood. Reine Claude de Bavay requires cross-pollination with compatible varieties.
Ensure pollinator-friendly compatible plum nearby (European plums like Stanley, Victoria, or Damson work well). Protect flowers from late spring frosts if possible. Do not prune during bloom.
Fruit Development & Sizing (May-July)
8-12 weeksFruit sets and grows from marble to golf-ball size. Fruits transition from green to golden-yellow at maturity. Flesh sweetens significantly in final weeks.
Thin fruits to 4-6 inches apart when marble-sized to ensure large, quality fruit. Remove any diseased or malformed fruit. Maintain consistent watering; avoid erratic moisture which causes cracking. Feed with balanced fertilizer or potassium-rich formula.
Maturation & Harvest (Late August-September)
3-4 weeksFruits reach full golden-green color, become fragrant, and develop peak sweetness. Slight softening indicates ripeness.
Begin tasting fruit mid-late August to gauge peak ripeness. Pick carefully to avoid bruising. Harvest for eating fresh when fully soft; for cooking, pick slightly firmer. Support heavy branches with props if needed.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Monitor for small holes in fruit in June. Remove affected fruit. Apply spinosad or pyrethrin if population high. Thin aggressively to reduce damage severity.
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Install pheromone traps to monitor. Apply codling moth granule diatomaceous earth or spinosad at egg hatch period. Remove and destroy affected fruit.
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Shake tree branches onto cloth early morning to collect adults, then destroy. Thin fruit to remove damaged specimens. Apply spinosad or pyrethrin at petal fall and 2 weeks later.
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Spray with strong water jet. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil during dormant season or early growth. Encourage parasitic wasps and ladybugs.
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Remove affected branches 12 inches below knot during dormant season. Sterilize tools between cuts. Apply copper fungicide in spring if history of disease present.
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Remove mummified fruit and cankers. Thin fruit for air circulation. Apply sulfur or copper fungicide when flowers appear and again at fruit development. Avoid wetting leaves.
Uses
Premium Fresh Eating
CulinaryReine Claude de Bavay is considered one of the finest dessert plums, with an intensely sweet, honey-like flavor and delicate flesh ideal for eating out of hand. The fruit's complex sweetness and low acidity make it superior to many commercial plum varieties. [source]
Traditional Confiture & Jam
CulinaryThe fruit is prized for making greengage jam, coulis, and French confiture with a distinctive floral sweetness. The natural pectin and flavor complexity produce exceptional preserves without excessive added sugar. [source]
Poaching & Desserts
CulinaryThe firm flesh holds shape beautifully when poached in light syrup, and fruits can be stewed, baked in tarts, or used in clafoutis. The delicate flavor complements vanilla, almond, and cardamom in pastries. [source]
Digestive Support
MedicinalFresh plums are traditional folk remedies for promoting healthy digestion and gentle laxative effects due to sorbitol and fiber content. The fruit provides vitamin C and antioxidants supporting general wellness. [source]
Orchard Pollinator Support
WildlifeSpring flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators essential for fruit set. Late-spring blooming reduces frost risk while supporting early-season pollinator populations. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Reine Claude de Bavay ripens in late August to early September (late-season variety). Fruits are ready when fully golden-green, fragrant, and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Pick fruit with stem attached to minimize bruising. For eating fresh, harvest when fully soft and sweet-smelling. For poaching or cooking, harvest slightly earlier when still slightly firm. Expect 40-80 pounds of fruit at full maturity (year 4-5 onward). Store ripe fruit refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Reine Claude de Bavay (meaning 'Queen Claude of Bavaria') is named after Claude of France, queen of Francis I in the 16th century. Legend says King Francis I of France so loved the original greengage plum that he named the entire class of plums after his wife.
- 🌱 Greengages were brought to England in the 18th century by Sir William Gage, a botanist; the English mispronounced 'Reine Claude' as 'Greengage,' and the name stuck despite the fruit being golden-green, not green.
- 🌱 Reine Claude de Bavay requires absolutely another compatible European plum tree for cross-pollination—a single tree will produce almost no fruit, making it essential to plant with varieties like Stanley or Victoria plum.
Gardening Terms
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