Do you have information on the Lady Petre Pear?

I learned that this pear was a gift to John Bartram from Lord Petre in the 18th century. Do you know whether it was a seed or seedling? Also, can you provide me with a source for an early illustration of this pear?

Answer

Please read pp. 51-52 of our history (which we’ve digitized; relevant pages are in the link below).

Boyd, James,1858-1929.  A History of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 1827-1927,   Philadelphia, Printed for the Society, 1929.

According to our history, Lord Petre sent seed to Bartram.

The earliest illustration of the Petre pear that we could locate is here:

The Gardener's Magazine and Register of Rural & Domestic Improvement 1832 v. 8, p. 587-8. See the second link, below. The text description of the pear starts on p. 587 and the illustration is on p. 588.  -- Elinor Goff

 

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  • Last Updated Jan 14, 2021
  • Views 196
  • Answered By Janet Evans

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Comments (2)

  1. The Lady Petre Pear is alive and well and living at Bartram's Gardens.

    It is located on the southwestern corner of the Bartram house.
    by Steven Bessellieu on Mar 06, 2013
  2. Good to know. I will be sure to mention that in the "Treasures of the McLean Library Course" Ernie Schuyler and I will be conducting at PHS on 3 Mondays in June: 6/3, 6/10, 6/17. Be sure to sign up for the class! We will be showing PHS library's copy of Catalogus Plantarum once owned by Lord Petre. Call 215-988-8800 after the Flower Show.
    by Janet Evans on Mar 06, 2013