Pink and Purple Tomatoes

1884 ($4.95) (B) ((HG) (E) 78 days. 1884 is a superbly flavored old-time tomato which grows on a strong vigorous plant and produces big luscious 2 lb. deep dark pink fruit with luxurious flavor and sets fruit readily in hot weather. It is said that the original seeds were discovered in 1884 by a Mr. Williamson in the debris after the big flood in Friendly, West Virginia. This grand fruit has taken top mention year after year in tomato tastings all over the country. Easy to grow and very productive.

Aunt Ginny's Purple ($4.95) (B) 80 days. From Indiana, this big grand heirloom produces luscious 1-pound or heavier, deep-pink silky smooth juicy tomatoes with sweet, tangy, rich flavors which many tomato fans find superior to the Brandywines. Growing in clusters of 2 or 3, Aunt Ginny's Purple is of German origin, from well-respected tomato grower Rick Burkhart of Indianapolis whose family has raised it for more than 40 years. A reliable producer and really easy to grow.

Brandywine, Pink, Sudduth Strain ($4.95) 82 days. (B) (HG) Around 1980 a Mrs. Sudduth of Tennessee gave some seeds of this variety, which had been grown by her family for more than 100 years, to tomato seedsman Ben Quisenberry of Ohio.

This is thought to be the old-time original Brandywine tomato. Many gardeners consider this strain the best Brandywine with fruit that is superior in taste and smoothness. Its tomatoes are indeed special, 1 to 2 pound pink beefsteaks with the delectably complex, rich, sweet flavor that has made Brandywine justifiably famous. Big, beautiful, pink and luscious with classic heirloom flavor, it is the tomato to which other heirlooms are compared. "Is it as good as Brandywine?" Each fruit is a treasure.

Bull's Heart ($4.95) (BB) (HG) 84 days. This magnificent old Russian variety bears huge, heavy, deep-pink ox-heart shaped tomatoes with very few seeds and extraordinarily rich, creamy, luxurious flavor. Strong yet wispy vines produce abundantly, with some fruit growing to 2 lbs. and more. Sweet, juicy, gorgeous, just wonderful.

Caspian Pink ($4.95) (B) 80 days. The Queen of the Big Pinks. This fabulous and very famous Russian beefsteak heirloom is big and luscious, fragrant, extremely prolific, juicy and meaty. The 1 lb. fruits are deeply aromatic with a rapturous lingering flavor. Judged by some tomato maniacs to be the best of the big pinks.

Cherokee Purple ($4.95) (HG) (E) 70 days. A legendary and beautiful tomato, at least 100 years old and said to have been grown by the Cherokee People. 12 oz. deep dark dusky rose-purple, deep red inside, with sweet, rich and smoky, luscious flavor. Cherokee Purple is a garden staple, in everyone's favorite list for a good reason, disease resistant, reliable and easy to grow, and great one for your heirloom or heritage garden.

Earl's Faux (pronounced Earl's Foe) ($4.95) (E) 76 days. From Ohio, this terrific fruit won best of show at Cincinnati's famous CHOPTAG (Cincinnati Heirloom & Open Pollinated Tomato Associate Growers) Taste Fest in 2003. From among more than 50 great varieties, Earl's Faux was the hands-down winner and is now the talk of the tomato world.

It arose in 2000 in the Ohio garden of well know heirloom tomato grower Earl Cadenhead from a seed which was expected to produce Red Brandywine. To Earl's surprise, the delicious fruit grew out a beautiful pink, weighing 8 to 12 ounces, on a big hearty potato-leafed plant--a fruit which no one had seen before. Initially called Earl's Faux Red Brandywine, it is now officially named Earl's Faux. Because of its smooth texture, and lingering flavor which has been described as a 'bases loaded home run' by the guys, and 'enchanting' and 'a symphony' by the ladies, it has become highly prized among tomato-loving folks fortunate to have gotten some of these precious seeds.

Early Wonder ($4.95) 50-55 days. (EE) (SM) This extra-early maturing and compact plant variety yields an abundant crop of round, dark-pink, 2 ounce marvelously flavored fruit. Perfect for gardeners in shorter season growing climates. Early Wonder is a small plant, the fruits are delicious and the production is very high.

Eva Purple Ball ($4.95) 65 days (E) A beautiful, adaptable, and reliable choice for your garden. Easy to grow, virtually problem free, and often called the most beautiful tomato of all. Eva Purple Ball produces perfectly round, deep pink, 6-8 oz, juicy, sweet luscious globes with an outstanding rich and refreshing flavor. At first bite, the tanginess dominates, giving way a moment later to an enduring sweetness with overtones of tropical fruit and spice. Growing very well in high heat and humidity, its very high-yield and disease resistance makes this prolific garden staple an outstanding choice for novice gardeners and experts alike. Originally from the Black Forest of Germany in the late 1800's. This plant out produced all others in my 2005 summer garden.

New for 2008! Florida Pink ($4.95) 85 days. These huge, 2 to 3 lb fruits are a gorgeous light pink. Extremely juicy, sweet and crack free, Florida Pink out-produces most plants in our garden. With very few seeds, huge production and great flavor, it is a favorite for cooking and fresh eating. Setting fruit well in hot areas, this beautiful tomato will be a fine addition to your garden.

German Giant ($4.95) (BB) (E) 75 days. German Giant, an old family heirloom, produces humungous deep pink smooth tomatoes with huge luscious flavor. Sweet and juicy with a rich lingering aftertaste, it reaches 2 lbs-3 lbs. in only 75 to 78 days. Very productive with potato-leafed foliage, this fine old favorite is scrumptious!

Giant Belgium ($4.95) (BB) 85 days. Developed in Ohio, this huge outstanding variety is known for its gigantic size and incredibly delicious flavor. The gorgeous dark pink fruits average 2 lbs., but can reach 5 lbs. Meaty and juicy with very few seeds, Giant Belgium is excellent for salads, sandwiches, and canning. Very sweet and low-acid.

Heart of Compassion ($4.95) (B)78 days. We are proud to be the only source for this fabulous tomato plant. Heart of Compassion, named by Dagma Lacey of TomatoFest, is a huge, 4 to 5" jade pink luscious and lovely heart shaped tomato with divine sweet flavors. Thin skinned and very meaty with very few seeds, it is truly a treasure. You can see a 'live' Heart of Compassion fruit in the TomatoFest video at the top of this page in the 'Early Bird Ticket Sales' section.

Julia Child ($5.25) (E) 78 days. The talk of the tomato world, borne on a big, elegant potato-leafed plant, Julia Child's 4" 1 lb. lightly fluted deep pink beefsteak fruits have gigantic flavor--robust, hearty, with classic old-time tomato taste, bursting with divine richness. Juicy, beautiful, just splendid. Named for Julia Child by her dear friend and owner of Carmel TomatoFest, Gary Ibsen.

Louisiana Pink ($4.95) 80 days. This is one of the finest fresh eating tomatoes of all time. Growing abundantly on a hearty disease-resistant plant, the big 4" round salad-sized fruits are rich, juicy, gorgeous and delicious. This disease resistant plant does very well in the humid southern states.

Momotaro ($4.95) (H) (VE) 62 days. (HG) This very popular early-ripening hybrid variety, (and Dolly Parton's favorite tomato), is being offered due to hundreds of requests from my customers who have found Momotaro fruits at Farmer's Markets. It is exceptionally sweet, low-acid, juicy and just beautiful with a very long shelf life. The 6 ounce fruits are a stunning shade of pink, full flavored, luscious and bountiful on the vine, with superb disease resistance.

I smuggled one into an heirloom tasting party, and the folks loved it. The revelation that it's a hybrid was a splendid surprise to the gathered heirloom aficionados and motley crew of tomato gourmets and gourmands.

Named for an ancient legend of Momotaro, or Peach Boy, Momotaro was a baby boy found inside a giant peach by childless peasant farmers who had longed for a child of their own. He grew to be a famous warrior for peace. Among his many achievements: conquering, and then encouraging the ogres of Ogre Island to stop pillaging and be nice ogres. Each year the Momotaro festival in Japan celebrates the legend of this brave and wondrous child.

New for 2008! Mrs. Houseworth ($4.95) 80 days. After hearing glowing reports about this tomato from many tomato buddies over the years, (“Laurel! Try it! Try it!”), I tried it at TomatoFest this year. They were absolutely right. It’s magnificent! I'm hooked. This 3 to 4 inch heart-shaped, luscious, big pink fruit is a prized old heirloom from the 1930's, originally from Mrs. Houseworth’ s garden in Centerville, Pennsylvania. Meaty and sweet, heavy in the hand with a perfect little accent of tanginess.

New for 2008! New Big Dwarf ($4.95) (SM) 90 days. This delicious old time fruit, from 1915, produces lots of big, yummy, one lb. deep pink tomatoes on little 2 to 3 ft. short bushy plants. A cross of many varieties including Ponderosa and Dwarf Champion, this little plant is perfect for growing in containers on the patio or right in your garden. (Developed by S.M. Isbell and Co.) Here are notes from a catalog of 1915, "Isbell's New Big Dwarf is so distinct and so meritorious that we are proud to offer it to tomato lovers of America and the world. We earnestly hope everyone who receives our catalogue will plant this grand new sort in 1915." More than 90 years later, we think you will agree!

Omar's Lebanese ($4.95) (BBB) 80 days. The big one! Omar's Lebanese has a passionately sweet and complex flavor. These immense fruits--deep dark pink and juicy--grow to 3-4 lbs, with excellent disease resistance. A spectacular tomato. Really easy to grow, out of this world. Takes 2 hands to pick it. In my top 5.

ew for 2008! Painted Ukrainian ($4.95) 78 days. This beautiful, deep pink heart shaped 3" fruit has lovely delicate vertical striping, as if lightly touched with golden streaks of color by a fine watercolor brush. The flavor is equally delightful. Rich, meaty, sweet and entrancing and heavy in the hand, it deserves a place of honor in your garden. Magnificent!

Porter's Dark Cherry ($4.95) (Ch) (E) (SM) 68 days. This is such a fine tomato! Produces early, is abundant on the vine in charming clusters of 6 to 8. Small and gem-like, 1" long grape type fruits in an oblong oval shape, with a deep pink hue, it is becoming a much sought after favorite for discriminating tomato maniacs nationwide because the flavor is complex, rich and fabulous--just ambrosial. One of the prettiest tomatoes I've ever seen, marvelous in salads, snacking, and a brave plant that stands up extremely well to hot weather.

Purple Haze ($8.95) (E) 70 days. It's back for '08! This is our rarest plant. The seeds for this exquisite deep purple fruit were given to me by Kansas City heirloom tomato grower and developer Keith Mueller. Keith developed a perfectly round 2" tomato with rapturous flavor, a seductive shape and sensuous color. Its name was inspired by its beguiling color and parental lineage which combines Brandywine, Cherokee Purple and Black Cherry.

The flavor, for the lucky few who have eaten one, is lively and sparkling with a fine tanginess, passionate with intense earthy nuances and a lingering sweetness. Early ripening, growing in great abundance on a huge plant in clusters of 5-7 fruits, it ripens in only 70 days from plant-out.

Purple Russian ($4.95) 75 days. A favorite of my son in law Niko, this gorgeous high-producing tomato produces masses of deliciously sweet, deep-purple 4 to 6 ounce fruits. The elongated fruits can be egg shaped or plum shaped and have a richness of flavor unsurpassed by any other plum types. They hold up very well and will keep for several days after picking. Perfect for fresh eating in salads or out-of-hand, great for cooking and canning, too! Home gardeners and market growers love this one for its beauty, marvelous flavor, keeping ability, and perfect blemish-free skin.

Sisters ($5.95) 80 days. This strong, beautiful and amazing tomato plant out-produces other varieties, stands up to cold and heat, resists disease, tastes marvelous and gives you a whopping crop of big, gorgeous, incredibly delicious 4" pink beefsteak fruits. Rich, luscious, sweet on the vine, with unforgettable old-time tomato flavor, this hearty potato-leafed plant is bountiful, resilient and reliable. Even during the most challenging seasons, Sisters will come through for you. A wonderful gift for family and friends. In my top 10 all-time favorites.

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