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.

Prunus domestica ‘Early Perdrigon’

A Prunus domestica L. cultivar. ‘Fruit, medium sized; roundish oval. Skin, purple. Flesh, rich, juicy, and excellent, separating from the stone. A first-rate dessert plum; ripe in the middle of August. The tree is very hardy, and an abundant bearer. Shoots, downy. This is not the same as Perdrigon Hâtif and Moyeu de Bourgogne with which it is made synonymous in the Horticultural Society's Catalogue, both of these being yellow plums.’ [Hogg – Fruit Manual p.717/1884 as ‘Perdrigon Violet Hâtif’]. 

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘There are two plums known under this name. Both are small, oval, purplish and are covered with a thick bloom. One, however, which seems to have been earliest known, is sweet, rich and of very good quality, ripening about the middle of August. The second variety was named by Calvel. It is vastly inferior in quality to the first and ripens in July. Neither variety is well known in America.’ [Plums of New York p.439]. Plums of New York lists synonyms of both plums under this heading. Hogg’s ‘Perdrigon Violet Hâtif’ is clearly the superior plum.

Pomona Austriaca figures the plum ‘Die Violette Rebhahnpflaume’ or ‘Perdrigon Violette’ [Pomona Austriaca t.197/1792]. This may not be identical to ‘Perdrigon Violet Hâtif’ but is probably very similar and is the illustration used here.

History at Camden Park

Listed in Addenda to the 1857 catalogue as ‘Early pedrigon’ [Plum no.12/1857]. In the absence of any notes from William Macarthur we cannot say which of the two Early Perdrigons he grew but it is likely to have been the later maturing, superior plum.

Notes

Published May 27, 2010 - 03:07 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2011 - 05:27 PM

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Figured are 2 plums, one yellow one purple, with leaves and flowers. Pomona Austriaca t.197, 1792.

Prunus domestica ‘Perdrigon Violet’ | Pomona Austriaca t.197/1792 | Pomologische Bibliothek. Perdrigon Violet is the plum at the top.

 

Family Rosaceae
Category
Region of origin

Garden origin, unknown
Synonyms
  • Früher Perdrigon
  • Perdrigon Hâtif
  • Perdrigon Violet Hâtif
  • and others, similar

 
Common Name

Dessert Plum, summer
Name in the Camden Park Record

Early pedrigon  
Confidence level high