Introduction
Apples are one of the most popular and versatile of fruits. Great for eating straight from the tree and enjoyed as a puree and in many favourite desserts. They are generally very hardy and easy to grow. The only thing you really need to consider is that they do need to be planted near at least one different apple variety, with a similar flowering time, to fruit well. Apples are split into 4 groups which relate to their flowering times. Below is some more detail on the apple varieties we currently have in stock:
Royal Gala
These are some of the strongest looking apple trees, with superb grafts and have the following characteristics:
Royal Gala is one of the most widely grown apple varieties in the world and for good reason. Firstly, it has the unique feature of being good for growing in both hot and cold environments, ideal of course for us in the Southwest of France, with sometimes very cold winters and regularly hot Summers. Apart from the ease of growth, what about the apple itself? Well, the fruits are very sweet tasting and look great when they mature in August to a strong red colour. It is therefore an early apple that can be stored for several months. No wonder Royal Gala is so popular around the world.
Like all apples it does need a pollinator and is in Group 4 (Flowering time).
Chantecler
Another group 4 apple and so would be a great pollinator for either Royal Gala or Cox.
With golden yellow skin and soft sweet, mild, quite large fruits maturing in October, making this French variety a great apple to include in any orchard or potager.
Chantecler is commonly grown commercially in France and is often available in supermarkets.
Cox’s Orange Pippin
The classic English apple often regarded as the finest of all eating apples.
For the real apple connoisseur, it is said that the Cox has complex ‘aromatic’ flavours more than most other apples, which make it very appealing to many people. It produces striking orange/red fruits in September. It is in pollination group 3 (which will cross with group 4 apples as well).
You can see a full list of fruit and ornamental trees currently in stock here: