Cardinal
AppleCardinal
Origin / History
A Russian variety from Riga, called Kiarolkowski, introduced to England about 1880; also imported under the name Peter the Great (Bunyard, 1920). The 1914 Bunyard catalog calls it a Crimean variety, introduced about 1880. The 1901 Bunyard catalog records "A.M., R.H.S." Bunyard (1920) calls it "a most attractive early fruit, worth growing if only for its beauty"; the 1914 catalog, "a beautiful and somewhat neglected fruit for gathering from the tree."
Tree
Growth sturdy, upright; fertile (Bunyard, 1920). Great bearer and compact, pretty grower; "garden trees only" (1901 catalog). Leaf pale, upfolded, down curved, very minutely serrate (Bunyard, 1920).
Fruit
Size: Medium to large, 3 by 2½ (Bunyard, 1920); the two catalogs say medium.
Form: Conical, regular (Bunyard, 1920); round (1914 catalog). Perfect in shape (1901 catalog).
Stem: Short and thick.
Cavity: Narrow and deep.
Calyx: Eye closed.
Basin: Even and shallow.
Skin: Handsome, perfect in color. Pale creamy white to light yellow, with a pinkish flush and broad stripes; beautifully striped.
Dots: Not described in source.
Flesh and flavor: White, soft, juicy; very tender (1914 catalog). Remarkably sweet and aromatic.
Core and seeds: Not described in source.
Season
Mid-August to September.
Uses
Dessert; useful for dessert. For gathering from the tree (1914 catalog).
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 1 period pomological work
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 3 catalogs (1894–1900) from England
- The Vineland Nurseries (Kelsey & Co. , Proprietors), St. Joseph, Missouri (Office: 13th and Atchison Sts., 2 Blocks East of the Citizens St. Car Line) — 1894 — listed as Peter the Great
- George Bunyard & Co. , Royal Nurseries, Maidstone, Kent , England — 1900
- Central Experimental Farm , Dominion Department of Agriculture, Agassiz, British Columbia (under test; Bulletin No. 3, Second Series) — 1900
View original book sources (3)
— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)CARDINAL. F., Pierre le Grand. (Peter the Great, Kiarolowski.) Dessert, mid-August-September, medium to large, 3 by 2½, conical, regular. Colour, pale, creamy white, pinkish flush with broad stripes. Flesh, soft, white, juicy, remarkably sweet and aromatic. Eye, closed in an even and shallow basin. Stem, short and thick, in a narrow and deep cavity. Growth, sturdy, upright; fertile. Leaf, pale, upfolded, down curved, very minutely serrate. Origin, a Russian variety from Riga, called Kiarolkowski introduced to England about 1880. It was also imported under the name of Peter the Great. A most attractive early fruit, worth growing if only for its beauty.
— George Bunyard & Co., George Bunyard Fruit Catalogue (1901) (1901)Medium, handsome, soft-fleshed; useful for dessert; perfect in shape and colour, great bearer, and compact pretty grower. Garden trees only. A.M., R.H.S.
— George Bunyard & Co., George Bunyard Catalog of Fruit Trees (1914) (1914)Dessert; Aug.-Sept. Medium, round, light yellow, beautifully striped; very tender and remarkably sweet; a beautiful and somewhat neglected fruit for gathering from the tree. A Crimean variety, introduced about 1880.