Prunus persica ‘Royal George’

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘There is very little doubt but that this is the Royal George of both Hitt and Miller, although evidently not the Royal George of Switzer, and may therefore be considered as the original Royal George. It is a most excellent peach, and a very beautiful figure of it is given in the Pomological Magazine. There are, it is true, several peaches sold in the nurseries under this name; but this is the sort most generally allowed the right one.’ [George Lindley – Orchard Guide p.270/1831].

‘For the following remarks upon this variety [‘Royal George Peach’] we are indebted to Mr. Thompson, whose successful labours in settling the names of fruit in general, and of Peaches and Nectarines in particular, will, we are sure, be, at no distant period, considered as one of the most useful results of the Horticultural Society's Garden.

This, and the sort usually sold in the Nurseries under the name of Red Magdalen, are the same. The Red Magdalen of Miller (Madeleine de Courson of the French) is less common, but is easily distinguished, not so much by its fruit as by its flowers, which are large. Ripens in the end of August or beginning of September, and is a proper sort for a Peach-house. In the last unfavourable season this sort was found to acquire its flavour better than the Grosse Mignonne: the latter was more affected in consequence of the cold and want of sun, than the former.

The Royal George and Red Magdalen are different, say some, because the former is subject to mildew: others say there is a difference, because the latter is the one that is most subject to it. The fact is, the same tree will mildew in one season, and not in another. A remedy, or at least a preventive in a great measure, for this, is to keep the borders clear and in good condition, and to see that there be nothing to obstruct a free circulation of air, and a full admission of sun.

In addition to the synonyms above enumerated, it is extremely probable that Lord Fauconberg's Mignonne, the Early Royal George of the north of England, and the Grandville Peach, are the same. It is also almost beyond a doubt, that the Madeleine Rouge à Petites Fleurs of the French, is the origin of the whole of them.’ [PM t.119/1830]. It should be noted that George Lindley treats ‘Royal George’ [Orchard Guide p.270/1831] and ‘Red Magdalen’ [Orchard Guide p.268/1831] as separate varieties and his descriptions are used in the Hortus.

Probably the peach figured as ‘Royal George Old Peach’ in the Pomona Britannica [PB pl.XXIX/1812].

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues as ‘Royal George’ [Peach no.2/1843]. But see also ‘Madelaine de Courson’.

Notes