The greengages are a group of cultivars of the common European plum. Gages are often cultivated as a fruit crop, especially in western Europe. Of excellent quality, though their delicate skins makes it difficult to get them to market in good condition and so they are more likely to be grown on a garden scale or be used for canning etc. Prunus domestica subsp. italica requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil [1 , 11 ]. Succeeds in light shade but fruits better in a sunny position [11 , 200 ]. Thrives in a loamy soil, doing well on limestone [11 ]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers some chalk in the soil but apt to become chlorotic if too much is present [1 ]. The various gages are often cultivated for their edible fruits, especially on a garden scale. There are some named varieties [200 ]. The gage was first developed from the plum in the Middle East, later spreading via France into much of western Europe. Its cultivation has spread into most temperate regions, though it is often only grown on a small scale because of the difficulty of getting it to market in good condition. Most members of this genus are shallow-rooted and will produce suckers if the roots are damaged [238 ]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus [200 ]. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is flat with shallow roots spreading near the soil surface [2-1]. Prunus domestica italica is a deciduous shrub or a tree usually growing 2 - 6 metres tall, occasionally to 15 metres. We can infer from its cultivation that the species grows optimally in areas with cold winters and long warm summers as vernalisation is required for flowering. The species can tolerate frost, however, when this occurs after flowering the fruit quality is poor (Lim 2002). Widely grown cultivars include: Boddarts Reneclode (Germany), Bryanston (UK), Cambridge Gage (UK), Canerik (Turkey), Denniston's Superb (USA), Gojeh Sabz (Iran), Yasil Alça or Göy Alça (Azerbaijan), Golden Transparent (UK), Graf Althanns Reneklode (Germany), Green Vanilla (Mount Pelion, Greece), Große Grüne Reneklode (Germany) / Reine Claude Verte (France), Laxton's Gage (UK), Laxton's Supreme (UK), Meroldts Reneclode (Germany), Rainha Cláudia (Portugal), Regina Claudia (Italy), Reine Claude de Bavay (France), Reine Claude d'Oullins (France), Uhinks Reneklode (Germany), Washington (USA).