Category: Apple trees
Collections: UK dessert apple orchard collection, Apple trees suitable for organic culture
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Apple trees

Discovery

Discovery is probably the most well-known early English apple variety, ripening in late August.  It is grown commercially on a small scale in the UK, but it has a very short season, and shop-bought apples can be disappointing if not picked at exactly the right time.  For this reason Discovery is definitely a variety that is better grown in the garden, and preferably eaten straight from the tree - although it will keep in a fridge for a week if necessary.

Given the short growing period, the flavours cannot rival the complexity found in later-ripening varieties, but eaten straight from the tree the flavour is far better than you will find in supermarket examples.  The attraction of Discovery is more in the enjoyment of fresh apples at the start of the new season - think of it as a Beaujolais Nouveau rather than a Burgundy!  In some years there is a hint of strawberry flavour, which adds to the summer appeal.

Fresh fruit for sale of this variety

Discovery apple trees for sale (2010/2011 season)

Deliver to mainland UKDelivery to the mainland UK (price includes delivery)

Mature heightSupplied as*Delivery
period		Price
inc. delivery		Quantity
Very small (1.5m - 2m)1-year - Bare-root - M27 rootstockNov-March£30.00
Very small (1.5m - 2m)2-year - 11.5L container - M27 rootstockSept-April£36.00
Very small (1.5m - 2m)2-year - 12L container - M27 rootstockSept-April£36.00
Small (1.8m - 2.5m)Cordon - Bare-root - M9 rootstockNov-March£39.00
Small (1.8m - 2.5m)Cordon - 12L container - M9 rootstockSept-April£39.00
Medium (2.2m - 3m)1-year - Bare-root - M26 rootstockNov-March£30.00
Medium (2.2m - 3m)2-year - 12L container - M26 rootstockSept-April£36.00
Large (2.5m - 4.5m)1-year - Bare-root - MM106 rootstockNov-March£30.00
Large (2.5m - 4.5m)2-year - Bare-root - MM106 rootstockNov-March£36.15
Large (2.5m - 4.5m)2-year - 12L container - MM106 rootstockSept-April£36.00
Large (2.5m - 4.5m)Half-standard - 12L container - MM106 rootstockSept-April£39.00

Product formats | Bare-root or Container-grown | Delivery | Rootstocks

All prices include delivery. We offer a discount on orders of multiple bare-root trees for delivery at the same time - this will be shown at the checkout.

*Delivery period: Container-grown trees will be delivered from September 2010. Bare-root trees will be delivered from mid-November 2010. You can order now and your items will be reserved for you, but you will not be asked to pay until nearer the time of delivery.



Alternative varieties

Scrumptious

One of the best-flavoured early-season varieties.(In stock)

Worcester Pearmain

A parent of Discovery, but a versatile early-season variety in its own right.(In stock)


Uses

  • Flavour quality - Average
  • Flavour style - Sweet/Sharp
  • Good for eating fresh
  • Good for juice
  • Use / keeping - 1 week

Growing

  • Cropping - Good
  • Fertility - Self-sterile
  • Flowering group - 3
  • Gardening skill - Easy
  • Disease resistance - Good
  • Vigour - Average growth

Climate

Pollination partners for Discovery

Discovery is in flowering group 3. It is self-sterile and needs a pollination partner nearby. The following varieties will pollinate Discovery:

Important: advice about pollination


Horticultural characteristics of Discovery apple trees

Discovery is very easy to grow, and has good disease resistance.

Historical details

Discovery is a seedling of another popular English early apple, Worcester Pearmain, found in Essex, UK, in 1949.





Example trees as supplied (container-grown only)

This is an illustration of what our products look like as delivered. Please remember that trees are natural products, so this information is for general guidance only. The trees at this stage are 1-2 years old, and will get larger as they grow older, the likely mature heights are indicated in the ordering section above. The trees you receive may differ in some respects from those shown here, for some of the following reasons:

  • Many of these photos were taken in early autumn - trees delivered during winter will not have leaves.
  • There can be a considerable size variation between different varieties of the same species.
  • Some varieties naturally "feather" or produce many side branches at an early age. Others may not feather at all.
  • In some cases we may have to "tip" the tops of trees to fit in our delivery cartons. Please do not be alarmed, as this will be carried out immediately prior to despatch, and is actually good practice when planting a new tree.

For comparison purposes the model in our photos is 5ft 6" / 1m 68cm tall. Click any of the images to view a larger one.




Product photo
2-year pre-trained apple tree in a 12L container on M27 rootstock
Product photo
2-year pre-trained apple tree in a 12L container on M26 rootstock
Product photo
2-year pre-trained apple tree in a 12L container on MM106 rootstock
Product photo
1-year apple tree in a 3L container on M9 rootstock
Product photo
Cordon apple tree in a 12L container on M9 rootstock