Apple trees
Apple trees are generally easy to grow, and because there are so many apple varieties there is invariably a good choice for almost any growing situation, from cool temperate to subtropical.
Apples are perhaps the most versatile of all temperate fruits, and one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits. Almost all cultivated apple varieties belong to the species Malus domestica, and are botanically part of the Rose family - apple blossom has an obvious resemblance to wild rose flowers. Apples trees were one of the earliest fruit trees to be cultivated, and originate from central Asia. There are now thousands of different apple cultivars or varieties - the UK National Fruit Collection holds about 2,500 of them.
Apples display perhaps a greater range of flavours, appearance, and texture than any other tree fruits. This diversity makes apples a particularly satisifying fruit for home cultivation. Without much difficulty (or space) one can grow a number of different apple trees which will keep a family supplied with fresh apples from mid-summer to late autumn, and with a good spread of flavours and uses.
Ashmead's Kernel apple tree
A very old apple variety, with a distinctive strong flavour. compare
Blenheim Orange apple tree
A classic English apple tree, useful for dessert and culinary purposes. compare
Bountiful apple tree
An easy-to-grow cooking apple, retains shape when cooked, fairly sweet for a cooker. compare
Bramley 20 apple tree
The definitive English cooking apple - but producing a tree 20% smaller. compare
Bramley's Seedling apple tree
Bramley's Seedling is the definitive English cooking apple, juicy and with good acidity. compare
Chivers Delight apple tree
An under-rated crisp Cox-style apple from Cambridgeshire. compare
Cox's Orange Pippin apple tree
Is this the best-flavored dessert apple ever - probably. compare
Discovery apple tree
A popular English early apple variety, makes a good fruit tree for the garden. compare
Egremont Russet apple tree
The most popular russet apple variety and a good apple tree for the garden. compare
Fiesta apple tree
One of the best Cox-style apples, also good for juicing and cooking. compare
Gala apple tree
A popular supermarket apple variety, with a sweet pleasant flavour, Keeps well. compare
Grenadier apple tree
An early-season cooking apple, and one of the easiest apple varieties to grow. compare
Herefordshire Russet apple tree
A modern russet apple variety, with an excellent strong Cox-like flavour. compare
James Grieve apple tree
A versatile classic Scottish cooking apple, excellent for juice, and widely used in breeding programmes. compare
Jonagold apple tree
A high quality apple from the USA, with a good balanced sweet/sharp flavour, compare
Katy apple tree
A very attractive early apple variety from Sweden. Easy to grow, and rarely disappoints. compare
Kidd's Orange Red apple tree
Without doubt one of the best Cox-style apples, excellent flavour, and easy to grow. compare
Laxton's Superb apple tree
A deservedly popular English late-season dessert apple from the Victorian era. compare
Limelight apple tree
An attractive green mid-season dessert apple, ideal for gardens. compare
Lord Lambourne apple tree
A popular and versatile garden apple variety, with a good balance of sweet and sharp flavours. compare
Norfolk Royal Russet apple tree
A glorious golden-russet apple which tastes as good as it looks. compare
Red Devil apple tree
A good apple variety for the UK garden, and good for juicing. compare
Red Falstaff apple tree
Popular garden apple tree, very heavy crops, easy to grow, very juicy. compare
Rubinette Rosso apple tree
Exceptional flavour - probably the best balance of sweetness and sharpness of any apple variety. compare
Scrumptious apple tree
A new early-season English dessert apple, with very good flavour. compare
Spartan apple tree
Attractive, crunchy, sweet, easy to grow, delicate "vinous" flavor. compare
Sunset apple tree
Popular garden alternative to Cox, easier to grow, and has a similar aromatic flavour. compare
Winter Gem apple tree
A late-season apple variety with a very good aromatic flavour. compare
(USA soon)