Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Prunus domestica ‘Blue Gage’

A Prunus domestica L. cultivar. ‘Branches long, slender, and downy. Fruit small, quite round, about three inches and a half in circumference. Stalk three quarters of an inch long. Skin dark blue, covered with a pale blue bloom. Flesh yellowish green, and separates from the stone. Juice smart, with but little richness of flavour. Ripe the beginning of August.’

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘A second rate plum’. [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.231/1860]. This is presumably the ‘blue Gage Plum [that] has been long known and little esteemed in our Gardens: it is the Azure Hâtive of the French.’ [PM t.129/1830].

‘An old European variety; rejected by the American Pomological Society in 1858.’ [Plums of New York p.438].

Figured in Pomonia Britannica [PB pl.XVI/1812], the illustration used here.

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues as ‘Blue gage’ [Plum no.2/1843].

Notes

Published May 27, 2010 - 01:29 PM | Last updated Jul 22, 2011 - 10:42 AM

Figured is a bunch of 3 blue-skinned, round plums and ovate leaves. Pomona Britannica pl.16, 1812.

Prunus domestica ‘Blue Gage’ | PB pl.XVI/1812 

 

Family Rosaceae
Category
Region of origin

Garden origin, unknown

Synonyms
  • Azure Hâtive
  • Black Pedrigon
  • Cooper’s Blue Gage
  • Early Blue

 

Common Name

Dessert Plum, summer

Name in the Camden Park Record

Blue gage 

 

 

Confidence level high