ASHDOWN SEEDLING An early to mid season dessert apple from Ashdown in Sussex, ripe at the end of August and usually September. It was received by the National Fruit Trials in 1966. A seedling of McIntosh, it originated at the Ashdown and General Land Company, Horsted Keynes, near Ashdown Forest. A good apple for those who enjoy a sharp and sweet taste. Tangy apples, with sweet yielding flesh. It has a very pleasant, complex flavour for an earlyish apple. By November it has become a little dry. Pollination Group 3
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

ASHEN IMPOSTER Around 40 years ago we bought a Ribston Pippin from a nursery – though we cannot recall which – but when it fruited it was clearly not a Ribston. We have mused upon it and sought a name from the countless apples that we have seen, but none came. Being such a good apple, it deserves to be planted widely. Large, sometimes medium sized apples are lightly ribbed green, turning very pale yellow when ripe, with crisp and juicy, sweet flesh, in early October. The apples will keep for a month or two. The name given by us reflects the history and the colour of the ripe apples. Pollinaation Group 5

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

  

ASHMEAD’S KERNEL A late dessert apple raised around 1700 by Dr. Ashmead of Gloucester, but which did not become widely planted and popular until the middle of the nineteenth century. It was very much appreciated by Victorians and Edwardians because of its complex flavour, which is both sweet and sharp, and for its firm white flesh. Sweetness develops with storage. In the first half of the 20th century it fell into obscurity, but has enjoyed thorough appreciation since. The trees have attractive blossom and the fruit stores until February. Cropping can be irregular. T* Pollination Group 4

    
 

AUTUMN PEARMAIN Also called the Summer Pearmain, though there is some confusion between the two in the old literature and there is much evidence to suggest that other Summer Pearmains noted were quite different. This apple is probably not the true Summer Pearmain. Autumn Pearmain was the preferred name of Lindley and, later, Hogg, and has endured. See Summer Pearmain later. Autumn Pearmain is an attractive mid season apple, with a red flush and fine russeting. The flesh is firm, with a pleasant, sweet taste. It has been described as tip bearing, but is very willing to form spurs. Pollination Group 4

    
 
BAKER’S DELICIOUS A Welsh dessert apple of uncertain date, but introduced by Baker's Nursery of Codsall, Wolverhampton, in 1932. Pale golden fruit, sometimes lightly russeted, blushed and often fully streaked with orange/red and with richly flavoured, juicy cream flesh. Fruit is ready in early September and will store for a few weeks. Pollination Group 4
    
 
BALL’S PIPPIN - Was introduced by Allgrove's Nursery of Middle Green, Langley, Buckinghamshire in 1920. It was said to be a cross between Cox's Orange Pippin and Sturmer Pippin. A medium sized, roundish dessert apple with a flattened top, ribbed at the eye. The skin is green-yellow, with a red flush, netted with russet which often breaks the red flush. The flesh is white, sweet, fragrant, crisp and juicy, when ripe in October. It stays crisp and juicy to the year end and will last to March. It received an Award of Merit from the RHS in 1923. Scionwood was given to us by Geoff Goodchild, from his old tree at Hughenden Valley, Buckinghamshire. Pollination Group 4
    
 
BAMFAIRS An old Oxfordshire variety, also called Bampton Fairing, but we adopt the name by which the last known old tree has been called by the owners, Mr and Mrs Harris of Lovegrove’s Farm, Fordwells. The family of Mrs Olive Harris have lived there since 1836; her great grandfather, who had the tree, died in 1915, and the tree is now well over 100 years old, modest in size but healthy and a good bearer. It takes its name from the old tradition of it being ripe on the day of Bampton Fair, where it was sold. Ripe in early September, the medium sized apples are deep red over pale green, with numerous starry dots. It is crisp, juicy, sweet and tangy. The apples will store for a few weeks. Mr and Mrs Harris are also the owners of the only old tree of Annual Sweetening. Pollination Group 4
    
 
BARNACK BEAUTY Raised by a cottager in 1840 at Barnack village, Northants, near Stamford, but not introduced until 1870 by Browns of Stamford. A late dessert apple with unusual oval fruit, flushed deep red, juicy, crunchy and with an intense flavour. It may also be used for cooking. Strong growing, spreading trees, with decorative blossom. Fruit stores until March. It has been said to be one of the best varieties for chalk soil, though it is always the rootstock that has to contend with particular soils. Pollination Group 4
    
 
BASCOMBE MYSTERY An old English apple whose origin is unknown. It was in the collection of the London Horticultural Society in 1831. A good dessert apple, also with a history of culinary use. The medium sized apples are obscurely ribbed on the sides, with skin of uniform grassy green, sometimes flecked white, turning more yellowish as it ripens. The flesh is crisp, juicy and perfumed. It is ripe in November/December, but can improve with storing. Pollination Group 7
    
 
BAUMANN'S REINETTE Raised by Baumann in Alsace, or possibly by Van Mons in Belgium, and first recorded in 1811. It has been long grown in Britain and was in the London Horticultural Society collection, at Chiswick, by 1842. A very good, handsome, dessert apple, boldly striped with crimson, merging to a full blush, with crisp, juicy, sweet flesh, faintly flavoured of strawberries. Ripe in September, it crops regularly and stores well until Christmas. It can also be used for cooking, keeping its shape. Pollination Group 3
    
 
BAXTER’S PEARMAIN A vigorous tree which was grown in Norfolk as early as 1821. Greenish yellow fruit, with orange tinges, red streaks and occasional russeting. The crisp fruit is dual purpose, with white, juicy, tangy flesh, richly flavoured, and which keeps its shape when cooked. A heavy and regular cropper. The fruit stores well, to January or February. Pollination Group 5
   
 
BAZELEY A rare old Buckinghamshire variety originating at, and once found only around ‘The Lee’ near Great Missenden. It has also been called Baseley, Baysley or Bezeley, the origin being that it was deemed the 'Best of the Lee'. At one time, most of the farms and cottages had a Bazeley. It was brought to notice by the late Susan Cowdy (of the Liberty family, owners of the London store), who was renowned locally in the Chilterns, at the Lee. She said the apple was much used in olden days for mincemeat and mince pies, due to its sharpness and suitable texture, staying intact when cooked. We first learnt of it from a former employee and friend, Sylvia Firnberg, who brought scion wood to us from the tree of the actor, the late Geoffrey Palmer, of Hunt's Green. Our thanks to all concerned. The apple is a medium sized, round and conical, green cooker, turning yellow, that in most years also attains top quality as an eater, even when first ripe. It sweetens with storage. Crisp, sweet, acid and richly flavoured, it keeps its shape, sweetness and acidity when cooked. Pick in October and store until January. The fruit ripens over a period. It freely bears spurs and fruits prolifically, to the extent that it might need thinning. When cut, the flesh does not discolour. Pollination Group 5