Cellini apple
An unusual Victorian variety, primarily a culinary apple but can be eaten fresh. One of the best examples of the aniseed component of apple flavours.
Cellini sounds like it must be a modern international dessert apple. In fact it is a rather unusual dual-purpose apple, originating from England in the early Victorian era. Rated by the Victorian writer Hogg as a "fine, showy, and handsome apple" - a description which fits it perfectly even though by 21st century standards it looks a bit old-fashioned.
Cellini is now little-known but it is an interesting variety because it is one of the best examples of the importance of the flavour of aniseed in apples. Aniseed or balsam is an important trace component in the make-up of many of the best-flavoured English-style apples, including Cox's Orange Pippin, Ellison's Orange, and Scrumptious. Whilst aniseed does not perhaps sound that attractive in an apple, it seems to have a role in bringing out the richness of flavour associated with the most aromatic apple varieties. If you want to study this flavour, then Cellini is the best way to experience it.
Summary
- Species: Malus domestica
- Parentage: Possibly Nonsuch
- Origin: Vauxhall, London, England, United Kingdom
- Introduced: Early 19th century
- Developed by: Mr Leonard Phillips
- Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 155000
Identification
- Fruit colour: Red / Green
- Flesh colour: Cream
- Fruit size: Medium
Using
- Good for eating fresh
- Good for cooking
- Good for juice
- Cooking result: Puree
- Flavour quality: Good
- Flavour style: Aniseed
- Ripening period: Mid season
- Use / keeping: 2-3 weeks
Growing
- Cropping: Heavy
- Flowering group: 4
- Fertility: Self-sterile
- Triploid: No
- Vigour: Average growth
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
Climate
- Suitable for temperate climates
Cellini identification photos from official fruit collections
Cellini identification photos from website visitors
Fruit tree register
We don't have any registered trees for this variety yet.
Do you have a tree of this variety in your garden or orchard? If so please register the details here and contribute to our international register of fruit trees.
Mature heights for Cellini trees
This table shows the likely mature height for a Cellini tree taking into account the vigor of the variety, the rootstock, and soil conditions.
| Rootstock | Soil quality | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poor | Below average | Average | Above average | Very good | |
| P22 | 2.5 ft 0.8 m |
3.1 ft 0.9 m |
3.7 ft 1.1 m |
4.3 ft 1.3 m |
4.9 ft 1.5 m |
| M27 | 2.8 ft 0.9 m |
3.5 ft 1.1 m |
4.2 ft 1.3 m |
4.9 ft 1.5 m |
5.6 ft 1.7 m |
| M9 | 4.2 ft 1.3 m |
5.3 ft 1.6 m |
6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.4 ft 2.3 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
| Bud.9 | 4.2 ft 1.3 m |
5.3 ft 1.6 m |
6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.4 ft 2.3 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
| Geneva 16 | 4.2 ft 1.3 m |
5.3 ft 1.6 m |
6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.4 ft 2.3 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
| Geneva 11 | 4.9 ft 1.5 m |
6.1 ft 1.9 m |
7.4 ft 2.3 m |
8.6 ft 2.6 m |
9.8 ft 3.0 m |
| M26 | 5.3 ft 1.6 m |
6.6 ft 2.0 m |
7.9 ft 2.4 m |
9.2 ft 2.8 m |
10.5 ft 3.2 m |
| Geneva 30 | 5.6 ft 1.7 m |
7.0 ft 2.1 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
9.8 ft 3.0 m |
11.2 ft 3.4 m |
| MM102 | 5.6 ft 1.7 m |
7.0 ft 2.1 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
9.8 ft 3.0 m |
11.2 ft 3.4 m |
| M7 | 6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.9 ft 2.4 m |
9.5 ft 2.9 m |
11.0 ft 3.4 m |
12.6 ft 3.9 m |
| M116 | 6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.9 ft 2.4 m |
9.5 ft 2.9 m |
11.0 ft 3.4 m |
12.6 ft 3.9 m |
| MM106 | 7.0 ft 2.1 m |
8.8 ft 2.7 m |
10.5 ft 3.2 m |
12.3 ft 3.8 m |
14.0 ft 4.3 m |
| MM111 | 8.4 ft 2.6 m |
10.5 ft 3.2 m |
12.6 ft 3.9 m |
14.7 ft 4.5 m |
16.8 ft 5.2 m |
| Bud.118 | 9.1 ft 2.8 m |
11.4 ft 3.5 m |
13.7 ft 4.2 m |
15.9 ft 4.9 m |
18.2 ft 5.6 m |
| M25 | 10.5 ft 3.2 m |
13.1 ft 4.0 m |
15.8 ft 4.8 m |
18.4 ft 5.6 m |
21.0 ft 6.4 m |
From an idea by N. Buck - more details.
Where to buy apples
No orchards have registered as growing this variety. If you grow this and want to register please go to our Orchard Registration form.
Rate this variety for flavor