Prunus domestica ‘Belle de Septembre’
A Prunus domestica L. cultivar. ‘Fruit large, roundish-oval, marked with a shallow suture. Skin thin, violet-red, thickly covered with yellow dots, and a thin blue bloom. Stalk half an inch long, slender, inserted in a shallow cavity. Flesh yellowish-white, firm, juicy, sweet, and aromatic. Shoots downy. A first-rate plum for cooking or preserving; it furnishes a fine crimson juice or syrup. Ripe in the beginning and middle of October.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.231/1860].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘Belle is an unusually large, handsome plum but unfortunately is not of very high quality. It is much like Pond but is brighter red, a little smaller, less necked, the stem is shorter, the apex more blunt and it is more of a clingstone. European authorities say that Belle is second to none for culinary purposes and its handsome appearance gives it value across the seas as a dessert plum. […] Belle came from Brussels, Belgium, and was propagated by the famous horticulturist, Van Mons. Nothing further is known of its origin.’ [Plums of New York p.158].
‘This proves to be a useful variety. It is large, oval, of a bright red colour. In England it does not ripen till the middle of October, and it is very hardy, excellent kitchen fruit.’ [Gard. Chron. 1854].
History at Camden Park
Listed in Addenda to the 1857 catalogue as ‘Belle de Septembre’ [Plum no.18/1857].
Notes
Published May 27, 2010 - 03:38 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2011 - 05:16 PM
Prunus domestica ‘Belle de Septembre’ | Plums of New York p.158/1911, as 'Belle' | BHL
| Family | Rosaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Garden origin, Belgium |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Culinary Plum, autumn |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Belle de Septembre
|
| Confidence level | high |