Santa Claus

Pear

Santa Claus Pear

Origin/History

Colonel Brymer of Dorchester, England introduced this pear to the notice of the Royal Horticultural Society in 1905, explaining that the parent tree had come originally from Belgium some thirty years previously (Hedrick). Bunyard gives the origin as France rather than Belgium, stating it was introduced from France by Colonel Brymer of Dorchester. Bunyard further suggests the variety is probably the French Passe Colmar, but not the Passe Colmar of Hardenpont.

Tree

Growth vigorous, upright; fertility moderate (Bunyard).

Fruit

Size: Medium.

Form: Conical, slightly pyriform, fairly even.

Stem: Long and slender; 1 in. to 1¼ in. (Bunyard).

Cavity: Not described in source.

Calyx/Eye: Partially open (Hedrick); a little open (Bunyard).

Basin: Even.

Skin: Slightly rough. Dull brown-red, practically covered with russet.

Flesh/Flavor: Pale yellowish, melting, and deliciously flavored. Hedrick describes the flavor as "delirious"; Bunyard as "delicious." Bunyard adds: "A very delicious fruit, which deserves the attention of all pear lovers."

Core/Seeds: Not described in source.

Leaf

Large, broad oval, upfolded, down-hanging, irregularly shallow serrate, turning rich claret red in autumn (Bunyard).

Season

December.

Uses

Dessert (Bunyard).

Subtypes/Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Not described in source.

Book Sources

Described in 2 period pomological works

View original book sources (2)

Santa Claus.

i. Garden 67:17, 35. 1905. 2. Bunyard Handb. Hardy Fr. 197. 1920.

Colonel Brymer, Dorchester, Eng., introduced this pear to the notice of the Royal Horticultural Society in 1905 explaining that the parent tree had come originally from Belgium some thirty years previously. Fruit medium, conical, slightly pyriform, fairly even, slightly rough, dull brown-red, practically covered with russet; stem long, slender; calyx partially open, in an even basin; flesh pale yellowish, melting, deliriously flavored; Dec.

— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)

SANTA CLAUS. Dessert, December, medium, conical, slightly pyriform, fairly even. Skin, slightly rough. Colour, dull brown red, practically covered with russet. Flesh, pale yellowish, melting, and deliciously flavoured. Eye, a little open in an even basin. Stem, long and slender, 1 in. to 1¼ in. Growth, vigorous, upright ; fertility moderate. Leaf, large, broad oval, upfolded, down hanging, irregularly shallow serrate, turning rich claret red. Origin, this was introduced from France by Col. Brymer, of Dorchester, and is probably the French Passe Colmar, but not the Passe Colmar of Hardenpont. A very delicious fruit, which deserves the attention of all pear lovers.

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

Passe Colmar