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Blue Pearmain

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USDA watercolor illustration of Blue Pearmain

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Blue Pearmain

Origin / History

Blue Pearmain is an old American variety of uncertain origin, supposed to be American (Beach, citing Lyon). It is known to be at least a hundred years old and was known in New England as early as the Revolutionary War; from there its culture spread southward to the Carolinas and westward to the Mississippi (Hedrick). Kenrick mentions it as common in the vicinity of Boston in the early part of the 19th century, and it was first described by Kenrick in 1833 (Beach; Hedrick). On account of its hardiness it has often been planted in the home orchards of the more elevated regions of New York and New England during the last 75 years; probably it has been in cultivation for a century or more (Beach). Bunyard records the origin as American, date uncertain, known before 1800. Occasional trees are found in the oldest home orchards of New York state, but it is rarely planted now (Beach). The variety is widely grown only in New England (Hedrick).

Blue Pearmain is characterized by its bluish bloom, deep purplish color, ribbed or sometimes furrowed surface, thick skin, the mild pleasant flavor of its fruits, and the hardiness of the trees — all of which characters it seems to have transmitted little changed to a numerous progeny (Hedrick).

Tree

Tree hardy (Elliott; Bunyard implies hardiness; Hedrick notes hardiness of the trees). It becomes moderately large to large, moderately vigorous, or on rich soil sometimes vigorous (Beach); Hedrick describes it as large and vigorous. Downing notes the tree grows strongly and bears moderate crops. The Central Experimental Farm (Agassiz, BC) catalogue describes the tree as a vigorous grower (planted Spring 1890).

Form spreading (Beach); upright-spreading (Hedrick, in one passage); spreading (Hedrick, in another); rather spreading (Bunyard). In the nursery it is a slow, stiff grower (Beach, citing Phoenix). Growth moderate, rather spreading; fertile (Bunyard).

Shoots stout, dark color (Elliott). Twigs below medium, rather stout, nearly straight, rather blunt at tips, with large terminal buds; internodes medium to long (Beach). Bark very dark, of a dull brownish-red; scarf-skin varies from thin to rather heavy; quite pubescent (Beach). Lenticels inconspicuous, scattering, below medium, roundish, raised (Beach). Buds large (Elliott); above medium, moderately projecting, roundish, slightly pubescent, free (Beach).

Leaves broad, coarsely serrated (Beach; Hedrick); long (Hedrick); rather large, greyish-green, upfolded, finely serrate (Bunyard).

Bearing habit: in some localities it bears well, but more often it is not a reliable cropper, and it is apt to have a pretty high percentage of unmarketable fruit (Beach). Downing reports moderate crops. Thomas calls it "a thin bearer." Bunyard calls it fertile. Elliott notes the buds are unsuited to exposed situations, the fruit being large and heavy and easily blown off.

Fruit

Size

Very large (Elliott; Thomas); of the largest size (Downing); above medium to very large (Beach); large to very large (Hedrick, in one passage); medium to large (Hedrick, in another passage); very large (Budd-Hansen); large (Central Experimental Farm); medium, 2⅔ by 2½ inches (Bunyard). Pretty uniform in size and shape (Beach); uniform in size and shape (Hedrick).

Form

Roundish, slightly conical (Elliott; Central Experimental Farm); roundish, regularly formed, very slightly conical (Downing); very large, roundish, inclining to oblong, slightly and obtusely conical (Thomas); roundish or inclined to oblate, sometimes a little inclined to conic, irregular, often obscurely ribbed, sometimes distinctly furrowed from the cavity nearly to the basin (Beach); round to oblate, inclined to conic, irregular, often obscurely ribbed, sometimes distinctly furrowed from the cavity nearly to the basin (Hedrick); oblong-conic, ribbed, axis sometimes oblique (Hedrick, in another passage); nearly regular, roundish to roundish oblong, very slightly conical (Budd-Hansen); round, conical, regular (Bunyard).

Stem

Short (Elliott; Budd-Hansen; Beach in one place — "medium length to rather short, rather thick"); short, thick (Hedrick); three-fourths of an inch long (Thomas); long, thick (Hedrick, in another passage); rather short in a rather wide and deep cavity (Bunyard).

Cavity

Moderately deep, obscurely furrowed, usually covered with orange-russet or greenish-russet (Beach; Hedrick echoes this — deep, obscurely furrowed, usually covered with orange-russet or greenish-russet). Wide, deep, obtuse, some stellate russet (Budd-Hansen). Acuminate, wide, lipped but usually symmetrical, with red-russet or greenish outspreading rays (Hedrick, in another passage). Rather wide and deep (Bunyard).

Calyx

Small (Elliott); deep set (Thomas); partly open; lobes acute (Beach; Hedrick); open; segments flat convergent (Budd-Hansen); closed (Hedrick, in another passage); slightly open (Bunyard, "eye"). Calyx tube elongated conical approaching funnel-form (Beach); elongated-conical (Hedrick); large, wide, cone-shape (Hedrick, in another passage); funnel-shaped (Budd-Hansen). Stamens basal to median (Beach); basal (Hedrick); median (Hedrick, in another passage; Budd-Hansen).

Basin

Deep (Elliott); medium in depth and width, with concentric gray or russet lines, obscurely furrowed (Beach; Hedrick); shallow, smooth, some with trace of russet (Budd-Hansen); often oblique, shallow and obtuse to deep and abrupt, furrowed and wrinkled (Hedrick, in another passage); moderately wide and deep (Bunyard).

Skin

A little rough (Beach); rough (Hedrick); thick (Beach implicit, Hedrick — "skin thick, tough, smooth"). Yellow, washed and mottled with red, often deepening on one side to nearly solid red, splashed and striped with deep purplish-carmine and overspread with an abundant blue bloom from which the variety takes its name (Beach; closely echoed by Hedrick). Stripes of dark purplish-red, over a dull ground, and appearing bluish from the white bloom (Downing). Striped and blotched with purplish red over a dull ground — white bloom (Elliott). Dark purplish red in large broken stripes on lighter ground; bloom conspicuous (Thomas). Pale yellow, almost wholly covered with large dark purplish splashes and stripes, mixed nearly solid red on sunny side, the heavy white bloom over dark red ground gives the fruit a bluish color (Budd-Hansen). Yellow entirely covered with dull crimson flush and broad broken stripes, heavily covered with bloom on the tree (Bunyard). Green, nearly covered with purple and a whitish bloom (Central Experimental Farm). Yellow, striped or covered with red, deepening to almost black, obscurely striped with darker crimson and with streaks of scarf-skin, giving the effect of dull bloom; prevailing effect dull gray-purple (Hedrick).

Dots

Numerous, small, pale, mingled with others which are conspicuous, very large, gray with russet center and often also mingled with irregular lines or flecks of dull green or russet. The large dots are characteristic of this variety as also of other varieties of the Blue Pearmain group (Beach; Hedrick echoes the description). Large; indistinct (Thomas). Distinct, white, russet, minute, some large, gray, with russet centres (Budd-Hansen). Numerous, gray, small, rough (Hedrick, in another passage).

Flesh and Flavor

Yellowish (Elliott; Thomas; Downing; Beach; Budd-Hansen; Central Experimental Farm); yellow (Hedrick; Bunyard). Moderately firm (Beach); firm (Hedrick; Budd-Hansen); tender (Bunyard; Hedrick — "firm, tender" in one passage). Rather coarse (Beach); coarse (Hedrick). Moderately juicy (Beach; Budd-Hansen); juicy becoming dry (Hedrick); juicy (Hedrick, in another passage); rather dry (Bunyard).

Mild sub-acid (Elliott; Thomas; Beach; Hedrick; Central Experimental Farm — "mildly sub-acid"); mild, rather rich, aromatic (Downing); decidedly and agreeably aromatic (Beach); agreeably aromatic (Hedrick); peculiarly aromatic (Hedrick, in another passage); spicy, pleasant, rich subacid (Budd-Hansen); highly aromatic and sweet (Bunyard); slightly aromatic (Central Experimental Farm). Rich (Hedrick).

Quality "very good" (Elliott; Downing; Budd-Hansen); good (Thomas; Beach; Hedrick; Central Experimental Farm). Beach notes that the fruit is of mild flavor and does not rank high in quality.

Core and Seeds

Core medium (Elliott); rather large, nearly axile, closed or somewhat open (Beach); large, axile, closed or open (Hedrick); large, axile, closed (Hedrick, in another passage); partly open (Budd-Hansen). Core lines clasping or, with modified calyx tube, nearly meeting (Beach); clasping (Hedrick). Carpels broad, elongated or roundish, slightly tufted (Beach); broad, elongated or round, tufted (Hedrick); long-ovate, tapering both ways, emarginate, tufted (Hedrick, in another passage). Seeds medium or rather long, acuminate, rather light brown (Beach); long, acuminate, light brown (Hedrick); often abortive, when developed of medium size, acuminate, tufted (Hedrick, in another passage).

Season

Early Winter (Elliott; Thomas). October to February (Downing; Budd-Hansen). October to January or February (Hedrick). October till March (Hedrick, in another passage). Comes into season in October. It may keep till March but often begins to shrivel after January (Beach). January to March (Bunyard). Mid-winter (Central Experimental Farm). In common storage it does not keep late, and by January it often becomes shriveled (Beach). The fruit does not keep well (Hedrick).

Uses

Home and local market (Beach). Culinary or dessert (Bunyard). It is not a good market fruit and is not recommended for commercial planting (Beach). The quality is not sufficiently high to make the variety worthy except where hardiness is necessary (Hedrick). A hardy variety worthy of further trial; it does well in Western Counties (Bunyard).

Subtypes / Variants

Beach references "the Blue Pearmain group," noting that the large dots are characteristic of this variety as also of other varieties of the Blue Pearmain group. Hedrick notes the variety seems to have transmitted its characters little changed to a numerous progeny. No specific named subtypes or sports are described in the sources.

Other

Elliott specifically warns that the buds are unsuited to exposed situations, the fruit being large and heavy is easily blown off.

Beach notes: "When well colored it is beautiful, though not brilliant, being overcast with a dull bluish bloom."

Book Sources

Described in 7 period pomological works

Nursery Catalog Sources

Found in 25 catalogs (1845–1920) from England, Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington

View original book sources (8)

Blue Pearmain.

Tree, hardy: shoots stout, dark color; buds, large, unsuited to exposed situations, the fruit being large and heavy is easily blown off. Fruit, very large, roundish, slightly conical, striped and blotched with purplish red over a dull ground— white bloom ; stem, short; calyx, small ; basin, deep ; core, medium; flesh, yellowish, mild sub-acid; "very good." Early Winter.

— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)

Blue Pearmain. Fruit of the largest size, roundish, regularly formed, very slightly conical. Color stripes of dark purplish-red, over a dull ground, and appearing bluish from the white bloom. Flesh yellowish, mild, rather rich, aromatic, and very good. The tree grows strongly, and bears moderate crops. October to February.

— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)

Blue Pearmain.* Very large, roundish, inclining to oblong, slightly and obtusely conical; dark purplish red in large broken stripes on lighter ground; bloom conspicuous; dots large; indistinct; stalk three-fourths of an inch long; calyx deep set; flesh yellowish, mild sub-acid, good. Early winter. A thin bearer.

— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)

BLUE PEARMAIN.

REFERENCES.

  1. Kenrick, 1833:42. 2. Manning, 1838:55. 3. Manning, Mag. Hort., 6:172. 1840. 4. Downing, 1845:122. 5. Phoenix, Horticulturist. 1:361. 1846. 6. Cole, 1849:120. 7. Thomas, 1849:164. 8. Emmons, Nat. Hist. N. Y., 3:69. 1851. col. pl. No. 54. 9. Hooper, 1857:19. 10. Elliott, 1858:122. 11. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1862. 12. Barry, 1883:343. 13. Lyon, Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1890:288. 14. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:235. 15. Waugh, Vt. Sta. An. Rpt., 14:289. 1901. 16. Can. Hort., 25:49. 1902. 17. Budd-Hansen, 1903:52. fig. 18. Beach and Clark, N. Y. Sta. Bul., 248:113. 1904.

SYNONYM. Prolific Beauty (18) incorrectly.

  • Occasional trees are found in the oldest home orchards of the state. It is rarely planted now. In some localities it bears well, but more often it is not a reliable cropper. It is apt to have a pretty high percentage of unmarketable fruit. The fruit is of mild flavor and does not rank high in quality. The skin is thick. When well colored it is beautiful, though not brilliant, being overcast with a dull bluish bloom. In common storage it does not keep late, and by January it often becomes shriveled (18). It is not a good market fruit and is not recommended for commercial planting.

Historical. This is an old variety of uncertain origin but it is supposed to be an American variety (13). On account of its hardiness it has often been planted in the home orchards of the more elevated regions of New York and New England during the last 75 years. Probably it has been in cultivation for a century or more. Kenrick (1) mentions it as common in the vicinity of Boston in the early part of the 19th century.

TREE.

Tree becomes moderately large to large, moderately vigorous or on rich soil sometimes vigorous. Form spreading. In the nursery it is a slow, stiff grower (5). Twigs below medium, rather stout, nearly straight, rather blunt at tips, with large terminal buds; internodes medium to long. Bark very dark, being of a dull brownish-red; scarf-skin varies from thin to rather heavy; quite pubescent. Lenticels inconspicuous, scattering, below medium, roundish, raised. Buds above medium, moderately projecting, roundish, slightly pubescent, free. Leaves broad, coarsely serrated.

FRUIT.

Fruit above medium to very large; pretty uniform in size and shape. Form roundish or inclined to oblate, sometimes a little inclined to conic, irregular, often obscurely ribbed, sometimes distinctly furrowed from the cavity nearly to the basin. Stem medium length to rather short, rather thick. Cavity moderately deep, obscurely furrowed, usually covered with orange-russet or greenish-russet. Calyx partly open; lobes acute. Basin medium in depth and width, with concentric gray or russet lines, obscurely furrowed. Skin a little rough; yellow, washed and mottled with red, often deepening on one side to nearly solid red, splashed and striped with deep purplish-carmine and overspread with an abundant blue bloom from which the variety takes its name. Dots numerous, small, pale, mingled with others which are conspicuous, very large, gray with russet center and often also mingled with irregular lines or flecks of dull green or russet. The large dots are characteristic of this variety as also of other varieties of the Blue Pearmain group. Calyx tube elongated conical approaching funnel-form. Stamens basal to median. Core rather large, nearly axile, closed or somewhat open; core lines clasping or, with modified calyx tube, nearly meeting. Carpels broad, elongated or roundish, slightly tufted. Seeds medium or rather long, acuminate, rather light brown. Flesh yellowish, moderately firm, rather coarse, moderately juicy, mild subacid, decidedly and agreeably aromatic, good.

Season. Comes into season in October. It may keep till March but often begins to shrivel after January.

Use. Home and local market.

— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 1 (1905)

Blue Pearmain.—Fruit very large, nearly regular, roundish to roundish oblong, very slightly conical; surface pale yellow, almost wholly covered with large dark purplish splashes and stripes, mixed nearly solid red on sunny side, the heavy white bloom over dark red ground gives the fruit a bluish color; dots distinct, white, russet, minute, some large, gray, with russet centres; cavity wide, deep, obtuse, some stellate russet; stem short; basin shallow, smooth, some with trace of russet; calyx open; segments flat convergent. Core partly open; tube funnel-shaped; stamens median. Flesh firm, moderately juicy, yellowish, spicy, pleasant, rich subacid, very good. October to February.

— J.L. Budd & N.E. Hansen, American Horticultural Manual, Part II: Systematic Pomology (1914)

BLUE PEARMAIN. New York, 80. Culinary or dessert, January to March, medium, 2⅔ by 2½, round, conical, regular. Colour, yellow entirely covered with dull crimson flush and broad broken stripes, heavily covered with bloom on the tree. Flesh, tender, yellow, rather dry, highly aromatic and sweet. Eye, slightly open in a moderately wide and deep basin. Stem, rather short in a rather wide and deep cavity. Growth, moderate, rather spreading; fertile. Leaf, rather large, greyish-green, upfolded, finely serrate. Origin, American, date uncertain, known before 1800. A hardy variety worthy of further trial. It does well in Western Counties.

— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)

known in New England as early as the Revolutionary War; thence its culture has spread southward to the Carolinas and westward to the Mississippi. Tree large, vigorous, upright-spreading. Leaves long. Fruit medium to large, uniform in size and shape, oblong-conic, ribbed, axis sometimes oblique; stem long, thick; cavity acuminate, wide, lipped but usually symmetrical, with red-russet or greenish outspreading rays; calyx closed; basin often oblique, shallow and obtuse to deep and abrupt, furrowed and wrinkled; skin thick, tough, smooth, yellow, striped or covered with red, deepening to almost black, obscurely striped with darker crimson and with streaks of scarf-skin, giving the effect of dull bloom; dots numerous, gray, small, rough; prevailing effect dull gray-purple; calyx-tube large, wide, cone-shape; stamens median; core large, axile, closed; core-lines clasping; carpels long-ovate, tapering both ways, emarginate, tufted; seeds often abortive, when developed of medium size, acuminate, tufted; flesh yellow, firm, tender, coarse, juicy becoming dry, mild subacid, rich, peculiarly aromatic, good; October to January or February.

  1. Blue Pearmain. (3¼)

BLUE PEARMAIN. Fig. 12. Blue Pearmain is characterized by its bluish bloom, deep purplish color, ribbed or sometimes furrowed surface, thick skin, the mild pleasant flavor of its fruits, and the hardiness of the trees all of which characters it seems to have transmitted little changed to a numerous progeny. The fruit does not keep well, and the quality is not sufficiently high to make the variety worthy except where hardiness is necessary. Blue Pearmain is known to be at least a hundred years old, but is of uncertain origin. It was first described by Kenrick in 1833. The variety is widely grown only in New England. Tree large, vigorous, spreading. Leaves broad, coarsely serrated. Fruit large to very large, uniform in size and shape, round to oblate, inclined to conic, irregular, often obscurely ribbed, sometimes distinctly furrowed from the cavity nearly to the basin; stem short, thick; cavity deep, obscurely furrowed, usually covered with orange-russet or greenish-russet; calyx partly open, acute lobes; basin medium in depth and width, with concentric gray or russet lines, obscurely furrowed; skin rough, yellow, washed and mottled with red, often deepening on one side to nearly solid red, splashed and striped with deep purplish-carmine and overspread with an abundant blue bloom; dots numerous, small, pale, mingled with others which are conspicuous, very large, gray with russet center and often also mingled with irregular lines or flecks of dull green or russet; calyx-tube elongated-conical; stamens basal; core large, axile, closed or open; core-lines clasping; carpels broad, elongated or round, tufted; seeds long, acuminate, light brown; flesh yellow, firm, coarse, juicy, mild, subacid, agreeably aromatic; good; October till March.

— U.P. Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)

Planted Spring 1890. Tree a vigorous grower. Fruit large, roundish, slightly conical. Skin green, nearly covered with purple and a whitish bloom. Flesh yellowish, mildly sub-acid, slightly aromatic, quality good. Season mid-winter.

— Central Experimental Farm, Central Experimental Farm, Agassiz BC — Catalogue of Fruit Trees under Test (Bulletin No. 3, 1900) (1900)
Prolific Beauty Dyer Gilpin Pennock Prolific Beauty