Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Pyrus communis ‘Grey Doyenné’

‘Fruit medium sized, obovate. Skin yellowish-green, but entirely covered with thin, smooth, cinnamon-coloured russet, and sometimes with a brownish-red tinge on the side next the sun. Eye small and closed, set in a narrow depression. Stalk three quarters of an inch long, inserted in a narrow, rather deep cavity. Flesh white, tender, melting, very juicy, sugary, and vinous. A first-rate hardy pear. Ripe in the end of October.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.207/1860].

 

 

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘This variety is very often confounded with the White Doyenné, already figured in this work. All the names cited above are undoubted synonyms; and it is exceedingly probable that the Doyenné galeux of Noisette's Manuel, page 526, is also the same: no difference has been found between fruit produced by a tree sent by him to the Horticultural Society, and the old Gray Doyenné.

We think that this is scarcely so good as the White Doyenné, when that variety is taken at its best; but its period of perfection is so short that the Gray Doyenné, which will keep much longer, and which also possesses much excellence of flavour, may perhaps be considered the most useful.’ [PM t.74/1829].

‘An ancient pear attributed to the garden of the Chartreux Monastery at Paris about the middle of the eighteenth century.’ [Pears of New York p.367]. Also figured in Saint-Hilaire pl.36/1828.

 

 

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue in an Addendum as ‘Doyenne Crotte’ [Pear no.54/1850]. ‘54. Medium size, melting, first rate.’ [Diary B, MP A2951/1862]. Obtained from Veitch’s Nursery, probably the original Exeter premises.

 

 

Notes

Published May 20, 2010 - 03:13 PM | Last updated Jul 22, 2011 - 01:28 PM

The pear figured is obovate, with reddish-green skin covered with thin russet. Pomological Magazine t.74, 1829.

Pear ‘Doyenné Crotté’ | PM t.74/1829 | BHL

 

Family Rosaceae
Category
Region of origin

Garden origin, France

Synonyms
  • Doyenné Crotté
  • Red Doyenné
  • Grey Doyenné
  • Doyenné Rouge
  • Doyenné Roux
  • Doyenné Gris
  • Doyenné Jaune
  • Doyenné d’Automne
  • Doyenné Galleaux
  • Doyenné Roux
  • Neige Gris
  • St Michel Doré
  • St Michel Gris

 

Common Name

Dessert Pear, autumn

Name in the Camden Park Record

Doyenne Crotte 

 

 

Confidence level high