DAMSON is a small, oval-shaped plum with an indigo skin and yellow-green flesh. It has amber-green flesh, an acid flavor, and is usually used for jelly, jams or for damson gin. If the fruit is left on the tree very late, it has an acceptable eating quality, if rather sharp. The trees are vigorous and bear heavily, bearing very well in the warm temperate areas. This plum is very disease resistant. Its white flowers are borne in umbrel-like clusters of 2-3 on short spurs, and the foliage is dark green. Fruit production begins in 3-4 years. This tree bears heavy crops of purplish-blue, juicy, tart plums that ripen in August to October. The tree adapts to wide range of soil types but requires moist soil. It is hardy in cold climates and tolerates strong winds. Rainfall and high humidity during the growing season can cause the fruit to crack. Thinning is not necessary for Damson plums.

GREEN GAGE was originally named Reine Claude by the French, then was renamed by the British around 1725. This is an ancient Armenian variety, still widely grown due to outstanding flavor. By any name, this is surely one of the world's great fruit varieties. This unique, European cultivar has been in high demand in local and roadside markets for its excellent quality and versatility. Not so long ago, the Green Gage plum was the best known and loved plum in Europe and America. It is now heading for extinction in this country, largely due to trueness-to-name problems that have made the real Green Gage hard to find. It has medium-sized, egg-shaped fruits with yellow-green skin and firm, greenish-yellow flesh and can be used in desserts and preserves or canned. But they’re so good, you might not be able to resist eating them right off the tree! Sweet and juicy, the fruit ripens early August in Zone 5. Hardy in Zones 5-9. The tree is productive and self-fertile but is susceptible to brown rot. Hardy to -30 degrees. Green Gage may be too fragile for commerce, but this fact -- and its superlative flavor -- make it an indispensable addition to any home orchard.

BAVAY GREEN GAGE An apparent seedling of Green Gage or Reine Claude from Belgium in the 1830's. Excellent flavor, appearance very similar to Green Gage.

METHLEY is a very early ripening Japanese plum. The fruit is purple with red, sweet flesh, very juicy with a distinctive flavor. This plum is an attractive tree, heavy bearing and vigorous. Trees are self-fertile and productive. The chilling requirement is 250 hours or less. Hardy in Zones 4-9.

RUBY QUEEN has fruit about 2 inches in diameter, dark red skin , firm red flesh, outstanding flavor, late ripening and has performed well in a variety or climates. Growth is upright and is disease resistant.

SANTA ROSA is a Luther Burbank introduction., c. 1906. High quality. rich, tart juicy plum, often bland in the grocery, but delicious when picked fully ripe. Hard in Zones 5-9. A Japanese variety.