Christmas Pearmain is an attractive English apple from the late Victorian period. By today's standards it looks rather old-fashioned - but appealingly so.
The flavour is not perhaps in the first rank of Victorian apples, but nevertheless this is an apple that has a lot going for it. It is basically sweet but with a bit of richness and some sharpness to add interest. The flesh is firm, yellow, and fairly juicy.
It is also an easy apple to grow in the garden, with few problems, and it crops well. It is available from many fruit tree nurseries.
So not the most well-known of the Victorian apples, but a very good all-rounder.
USDA identification images for Christmas Pearmain
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Visitor reviews
- 22 Nov 2024Very handsome apple with a surprisingly complex flavour. As for 'not being very attractive by today's standards', who cares? 'Today's standards are designed to appeal to children and infantilized adults. Christmas Pearmain has real character, as do many of the traditional varieties.
- 19 Feb 2017 HIGHFIELD1999@TISCALI.CO.UK, United Kingdomin coastal Norfolk , this apple isnt willing to leave the tree unitl 2nd week in November. I am coming to the end of them now (February 19th) with another week of them left. Still firm and nicely flavoured.
- 19 Sep 2014 ARGYLL, United Kingdomwhen do you pick and eat these apples
Tree register
United Kingdom
- Jill Wheelden in Craven Arms, SHROPSHIRE
- John Dench in Etchingham, EAST SUSSEX
- Kevinincornwall in Liskeard, UNITED KINGDOM
- Nish Pfister in Chulmleigh, DEVON
- Peter Barnard in Doncaster, LINCOLNSHIRE
- Ron Bell in MELROSE, SCOTLAND
- stanwatt2008@hotmail.co.uk in Gardenstown, ABERDEENSHIRE
- Steve in Helensburgh, DUNBARTONSHIRE
Spring blossom records for this variety
2014 season
- 13th May 2014 - tree owned by stanwatt2008@hotmail.co.uk in Gardenstown, United Kingdom
2013 season
- 30th May 2013 - tree owned by stanwatt2008@hotmail.co.uk in Gardenstown, United Kingdom
2011 season
- 7th May 2011 - tree owned by stanwatt2008@hotmail.co.uk in Gardenstown, United Kingdom
2010 season
- 5th May 2010 - tree owned by stanwatt2008@hotmail.co.uk in Gardenstown, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
2010 season
- October 2010 - tree owned by Nish in Chulmleigh, United Kingdom
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Parentage: Unknown
- Originates from: England, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1893
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 2000-026
Identification
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
Growing
- Flowering group: 2
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Slightly small
- Self-fertility: Self-fertile
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Christmas Pearmain apple trees for sale:
- Keepers Nursery
United Kingdom More >>
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Christmas Pearmain:
United Kingdom
England - north
References
- Apples of England (1948)
Author: Taylor