Winter Sweet Paradise
Apple
Winter Sweet Paradise
Origin and History
A native American variety from Pennsylvania. According to Downing's 1845 account, it was received along with the Summer Sweet Paradise from Mr. Garber of Columbia, Pennsylvania, and considered a native fruit of that state. From Pennsylvania it was carried into Ohio, and later its cultivation extended into other portions of the Middle West. Although an old variety, it was but little known in New York as of Beach's 1905 account. It was still being propagated to a considerable extent by nurserymen at that time.
Tree
Hardy, upright, and vigorous in growth habit. Not an early bearer. Productive once bearing age is reached. Young shoots are reddish gray.
Fruit
Size and Form: Large, regularly formed, roundish oblate.
Skin and Color: Dull green when picked, with a brownish blush (Downing) — Beach describes the blush more specifically as brownish-red. The skin becomes a little paler at maturity.
Stem: Short, set in a round cavity that is often russeted.
Calyx: Closed, small.
Basin: Rather deep, slightly corrugated.
Flesh: White, fine-grained, juicy, sweet, and sprightly. Rated very good.
Core: Rather small.
Season and Uses
An orchard fruit valued for its appearance — always fair and of fine appearance. In season from November through March (Downing); described by Beach as an early winter and midwinter variety. A productive and excellent orchard fruit.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Winter Sweet Paradise.
Paradise Winter Sweet. Grandmother.
From Pennsylvania. The Winter Sweet Paradise is a productive and excellent orchard fruit, always fair, and of fine appearance. Tree hardy, upright, vigorous, not an early bearer. Young shoots reddish gray. Fruit rather large, regularly formed, roundish oblate. Color dull green when picked, with a brownish blush, becoming a little paler at maturity. Stalk short, set in a round cavity, often russeted. Calyx closed, small. Basin rather deep, slightly corrugated. Flesh white, fine-grained, juicy, sweet, sprightly, and very good. Core rather small. November to March.
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 1 (1905)WINTER SWEET PARADISE.
References. 1. Downing, 1845:124. 2. Cole, 1849:130. 3. Emmons, Nat. Hist. N. Y., 3:85. 1851. 4. Elliott, 1854:150. fig. 5. Hooper, 1857:102. 6. Mag. Hort., 27:99. 1861. 7. Kirtland, Ib., 33:53. 1867. 8. Warder, 1867:737. 9. Fitz, 1872:143, 156. 10. Downing, 1872:10 index, app. 11. Thomas, 1875:212. 12. Barry, 1883:357. 13. Bailey, An. Hort., 1892:253. 14. Ill. Sta. Bul., 45:346. 1896.
Synonyms. Honey Sweet of some (4). Paradise Winter (8). Paradise Winter Sweet (4). White Robinson (14). Wine Sweet (10).
Fruit large, roundish oblate, dull green with brownish-red blush, fine-grained, juicy, sweet; in season during early winter and midwinter. Tree a vigorous, upright grower and productive, but it is not an early bearer (12).
Historical. In 1845 Downing made the following observation concerning this variety. "We received it some years ago along with the Summer Sweet Paradise from Mr. Garber of Columbia, Pa., and consider it a native fruit" (1). From Pennsylvania it was carried into Ohio and later its cultivation was extended into other portions of the Middle West. Although an old variety it is but little known in New York. It is still propagated to a considerable extent by nurserymen.