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Apple Trees Dual Purpose

Apples, what can be nicer than eating the fruits grown in your garden fresh from the tree? Many new and old traditional varieties available. Dual purpose means these apple varieties are suitable for eating and cooking. We supply the highest quality fruit trees and plants and pack them with great care. Fruit Tree Growing Guide Click Here


ROOTSTOCK GUIDE

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POLLINATION MADE SIMPLE

Most suburban situations provide good pollen due to the close proximity of other gardens. It is not always necessary to have pollinators if the bees and other pollinating insects are generous with their visits. If you have no other Apple tree close by then select two varieties in the same group or the adjoining group ie group 2 and 4 will pollinate group 3 as will any others in group 3. Some varieties of Apples are self fertile.

Pollination Table


A GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE RIGHT TREE

1 Year Maiden = A one year old tree and the size depends on the variety but in general they will be 125cm in height and will have some side branches.

2 Year Tree = A two year old tree that has been pruned back in the first winter to form a bush shape. Generally trees will be 140-160cm in height with multiple side branches. This height guide is an end of summer height.  

3 Year Tree = A three year old tree that has been pruned to form a bush shape. Generally trees will be 140-160cm in height with multiple side branches. This height guide is an end of summer height.  

2 Year Cordon = The term cordon simply refers to a single stem with short sideshoots (the fruiting spurs). This is usually trained angled to 45 degrees (oblique cordon), but can be trained singly vertically (also known as minarette)

2 Tier Espaliers -  The term espalier refers to the way fruit trees are trained to grow against a wall. It makes the tree easier to prune and the fruit easier to pick. This decorative method was often used in traditional walled kitchen gardens and is perfectly suited to growing fruit in the smaller garden. 

Stepovers - Cultivated since Victorian times, they are basically one tier espaliers that are low enough to simply ‘step over’ where necessary. These are useful to define borders with. Their short stem and a horizontal branch look equally good in front of ornamental borders or vegetables.  



Apple Blenheim Orange
Apple Blenheim Orange
Dessert/Cooking Apple - After nearly two centuries it is still regarded as the best dual purpose apple. Received the Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. The creamy flesh is crisp and dry with an excellent nutty flavour. Fruits are golden, flushed and striped with dull red and fine brown russet. Mildew resistance is good and the yields are heavy. Growth is very vigorous but this variety needs two other apple varieties for cross pollination (technical term is a triploid). A good choice for northern gardens. Picking time early October. Pollination group 3.
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from £35
Apple Charles Ross
Apple Charles Ross
Dessert/Culinary Apple - This handsome dual purpose apple was raised from Peasgood Nonsuch x Cox's Orange Pippin by Charles Ross at Welford Park in Berkshire around 1890. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). Has some resistance to apple scab. Large, round, colourful and showy. Does well in chalky soils. Picking time mid September. Pollination group 3.
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from £35

Apple James Grieve
Apple James Grieve
Dessert/Cooking Apple - Raised by James Grieve in Edinburgh, Scotland. First recorded in 1893. Received the Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1897. Now a well known well flavoured, juicy second early. An excellent choice, especially for a difficult site. Crops heavily and regularly. The soft texture fruit is both juicy and tangy. Does well in northern gardens. Picking time late August to early September. Pollination group 3.
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from £35
Apple Peasgoods Nonsuch
Apple Peasgoods Nonsuch
Dessert/Cooking Apple - Raised by Mrs. Peasgood at Stamford, Lincolnshire in 1858. Received the First Class Certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1872. Large culinary apple. Primarily a garden and exhibition variety. When well coloured the more conical fruits look rather like Charles Ross. Pale green with broken green stripes and orange flesh. When cooked makes a sweet, deliciously flavoured puree. Juicy when eaten fresh. Picking time mid September. Pollination group 3.
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from £35