realenglishfruit

Top fruit tree growing advice and information from Real English Fruit

Classic apple varieties

There are many varieties of apple in the UK. An estimate as to the exact figure would be almost 3,000! Some are very good varieties, others less so. But they are all different. Knowing what to plant where, and ensuring that you will be able to enjoy the beauty of blossom and the satisfaction of being able to pick some good fruits at harvest time, are not always straightforward.

Many of these varieties are usually not to be found in retail outlets such as supermarkets.  These trees are therefore quite scarce, and they are not grown in large volumes. In this section you will find brief descriptions of each tree.

Please note that we can supply all these trees, provided that you order early, for delivery from December to March.

Just click on each link to read the description. You can see a more complete list of the trees that we can supply here, with a provisional order form.

Adams Pearmain

Annie Elizabeth

Arthur Turner

Ashmead Kernel

Beauty of Bath

Blenheim Orange

Bountiful

Bramley’s Seedling

Braeburn

Charles Ross

Cheddar Cross

Chivers Delight

Claygate Pearmain

Court Pendu Plat

Cox’s Orange Pippin

Cox Self Fertile

Crawley Beauty

Crispin

D’Arcy Spice

Discovery

Dr Harvey

Edward VII

Egremont Russet

Ellison’s Orange

Elstar

Epicure

Exeter Cross

Fiesta

Golden Noble

Golden Delicious

Golden Pippin

Granny Smith

Greensleeves

Grenadier

Howgate Wonder

Ingrid Marie

James Grieve

Jonagold

Jupiter

Katy

Kidd’s Orange Red

Lane’s Prince Albert

Laxton Fortune

Laxton Superb

Laxton’s Epicure

Limelight

Lord Derby

Lord Lambourne

Newton Wonder

Norfolk Beefing

Orleanne’s Reinette

Peasgood Nonsuch

Pinova

Pitmaston Pine Apple

Pixie

Princesse

Red Falstaff

Red Pippin / Fiesta

Rev. W. Wilks

Rosemary Russet

Royal Gala

Saturn

Scotch Dumpling

Sops in Wine

Spartan

St. Edmunds Russet

Sunset

Tom Putt

Tydeman’s Late Orange

Warner’s King

Winston

Worcestor Pearmain

7 responses to “Classic apple varieties

  1. Eva Tombs September 5, 2011 at 7:00 pm

    I need apple trees that will grow in a sheltered spot on a wet and windy Scottish island. Any recommendations please?

  2. realenglishfruit September 7, 2011 at 9:16 pm

    Fruit trees will positively respond and grow good fruit provided the micro climate is suitable. Our customers in the north of Scotland and in Shetland grow their fruit either in pots in a sun room, or in raised beds in an annex, or have constructed a poly tunnel, well anchored to the ground to withstand strong gale force winds. The usual thin plastic sheeting of the poly tunnel has been replaced with clear polycarbonate material or clear corrugated type of translucent flexible plastic sheeting. However it is done, the main objective is to stop the salt-laden winds battering the leaf canopy of soft fruit plants and /or fruit trees. Obviously the light must not be diminished by the type of materials used. The intensity of the light and the temperature range is sufficient for most fruit trees to succeed in the Northern and Western Isles.

    The other essential is to make sure there is always at any time of the year enough oxygen in the soil, which is surrounding the roots of the fruit-bearing plants or trees. Without oxygen the roots cannot perform, and the tree or fruit bush will die. For that reason, wetness of the soil is not the restricting factor; impeded drainage due to compacted top soil or rock strata is the main fault to rectify. There are several ways of doing this. One of our customers grows his trees in thoroughly cleaned big oil drums, firmly fixed to the ground in a very sheltered spot. In that way a micro climate in combination with a good volume of soil has given the tree all it needs to grow fruit well. In each oil drum 3 sizable holes are made in order to get good drainage. The holes are covered by broken bits of terracotta pots.

    Summarizing, if you are willing to ensure a good micro climate and a reasonable depth of well aerated soil, you can grow top fruit and soft fruit on a Scottish Island.

    • Eva August 2, 2013 at 8:30 pm

      I planted Katja and Discovery and they are doing very well, deliscious apples. I also planted Bramley Seedlings without much success though, no fruit so far. I hankered after a proper orchard, so decided to take my time and plant Alder and Ash all around to ward off the wind. Soil is not too bad here, though there isn’t very much of it and I spend my time scything and making compost heaps and heaving builder sacks of seaweed all winter long to top dress everything. What a joy! Your advise so much appreciated.

  3. Agatha September 5, 2014 at 6:55 pm

    Hi, I plan to arrange some fruit trees in Espalier way on South and East fancing wall ( 10 meters each). I leave in Devon coast. How many trees can I plant? Do you have any suggestions to the following of my choice: Golden Delicious, Royal Gala, Sunset; pear- Conference; plum- Victoria, Marjorie’s Seeding; cherry- Sunburst, Morello. Thanks for any recommendations

  4. nina September 16, 2015 at 2:52 am

    what variety of fruit do you get when plant requires red delicious and gold delicious to produce?

  5. Bernadette October 10, 2015 at 10:44 am

    I was looking to purchase a baking apple tree to put in a pot in shaded location
    Having reading about watering them l realise that me using a watering can is not suitable
    Can you supply both the tree and a suitable pot that helps to control the water ensuring the tree gets what it needs

    Thank you

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