Description
The Plum tree Altesse Double, also known as Quetsche d’Italie or Fellenberg, is a heritage self-fertile plum tree producing delicious elongated blue-violet fruits. Grafted in low-stem form, it is ideal for gardens and edible hedges. With a late flowering period, it escapes spring frosts and acts as a good pollinator for other varieties of plum trees.
Geographical origin: Lombardy (Italy), around 1800
Botanical family: Rosaceae
Notable features: Traditional cultivar found in Belgian and northern French gardens. Resilient due to its late bloom and excellent taste.
Mature height: 2.5 to 3.5 meters (low-stem)
Mature spread: 2 to 3 meters
Habit: Upright, well-branched
Bark: Dark brown, lightly fissured
Foliage: Deciduous, dark green
Growth: Moderate
Hardiness: Down to -20°C
Flowering time: Late April to early May
Flowers: White, rich in pollen
Fruits: Elongated dark blue-violet plums, juicy and firm, sweet and aromatic. Harvest from early to mid-September.
Wildlife interest: Bee-friendly flowering
This variety is self-fertile, but its yield can be greatly increased when combined with other plum varieties such as: Queen Victoria, Reine-Claude d'Oullins, Bleue de Belgique, Reine Claude d'Althan, Reine-Claude Verte, Wignon, Sainte-Catherine, Mirabelle de Metz, Belle de Louvain, Mirabelle de Nancy, and Altesse Simple.
It pollinates the following varieties: Reine-Claude d'Oullins, Monsieur Hâtif, Bleue de Belgique, Reine Claude d'Althan, Reine-Claude Verte, Wignon, Sainte-Catherine, Mirabelle de Metz, Belle de Louvain, Mirabelle de Nancy, and Altesse Simple.
Ideal light: Full sun
Soil type: Deep, well-drained, fertile
Soil preparation tips: Enrich with compost or well-rotted manure
Spacing: 3 to 4 meters (low-stem)
Soil nature: Neutral to slightly calcareous
At planting: Regular watering in the first year
At maturity: Moderate, drought-tolerant
When and how to prune: Light post-harvest pruning, avoid severe cuts
Method: Grafted on Myrobalan or Saint-Julien for controlled growth
Best placement: Family orchard, edible hedge, compact garden
Companion planting: Reine Claude, Belle de Louvain, thyme, lavender, oregano
Cultural usage: Ideal for jams, baking, or schnapps. Consume quickly after harvest due to limited shelf life.
Vulnerabilities: Sensitive to brown rot in wet weather
Natural prevention: Open pruning, harvest fruits as soon as ripe
Practical advice: Full sun, good air circulation, mulching at base
‘Altesse Double’ is self-fertile, late-blooming, and offers excellent-flavoured fruits in September. Its low-stem form is perfect for modern home gardens.
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