Devonshire Quarrenden apple
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Devonshire Quarrenden is a very old English apple variety, thought to have orginated from south-west England, but quite widely grown in Victoria times.
It ripens very early in the season and does not keep. it has remained popular because of the distinctive strawberry flavour which can be discerned in some examples - although in our experience it can be elusive and very dependent on the time of picking.
This strawberry note is an interesting example of the diversity of flavours that can be found in apples, and can sometimes be found in its offspring, of which Worcester Pearmain is the most well-known.
Devonshire Quarrenden also has a tendency for the red skin to bleed into the flesh slightly, and it may occasionally have red flecks within the flesh.
Devonshire Quarrenden apple identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Devonshire Quarrenden
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Offspring of this variety
- Thoday's Quarrenden - Probable parent
- Worcester Pearmain
Visitor reviews
- 15 Aug 2018 ChrisDEVON, United Kingdom2018 crop the heaviest of the past few years. Lovely deep red colour- we've had such a hot, sunny summer that may be a factor. Better rounded flavor this year
- 22 Jul 2014 jonewerSURREY, United KingdomAs an update - I had no crop in the 2012 crop but a good crop in 2013. This year, there is again no crop. The variety appears to be showing some fairly strong biennial behaviour. The growth habit with no pruning is very upright. 2013 fruits were very small. Taste is vinous rather than aromatic and while incomparably better than shop bought Golden Delicious is still disappointing against the likes of a Claygate Pearmain, lacking any real depth or complexity of flavour. A decent early variety but not outstanding.
- 19 Feb 2012 jonewerSURREY, United KingdomI planted one of these in 2011 and it blessed me with a couple of fruits. I probably should have allowed it but couldn't help myself. The texture of this apple is not crisp, it rather melting and the flavour is delicate rather than strong, even perhaps slightly watery. You need to close your eyes and concentrate on the flavours which are complex but lacking in intensity. Attractive slightly flattened apples. Good for an early and ready several weeks before the Discoveries hit the supermarket shelves, but it wont keep. Not that thats a problem since I'll scoff the lot within a week anyway.
Tree register
United States
- Jerry Hudgins in Point Reyes Station, CALIFORNIA
- Ron Boyd in Alcalde, NM
United Kingdom
- Alan Reid in Newport-On-Tay, FIFE
- Alan Reid in Newport-On-Tay, FIFE
- Ben in Coventry,
- Ben Tolhurst in Falmouth, CORNWALL
- Bill Barker And Sharon Cherry in Smeeton Westerby, LEICESTERSHIRE
- Brookside Farm in St. Austell, CORNWALL
- Cheryl Constant in Maybole, AYRSHIRE
- Cheryl Constant in Maybole, AYRSHIRE
- Graham Charles Schofield in Newmarket, SUFFLOK
- Graham Tibble in Southampton, HAMPSHIRE
- James Olver in London,
- Jean Lippett in Martock, SOMERSET
- jonewer in Reigate, SURREY
- M Neale in Teignmouth, DEVON
- Melanie in Nr Leicester, LEICESTERSHIRE
- Nick Burrows in Helmsley, NORTH YORKSHIRE
- Owen Roberts in Reepham, NORFOLK
- Peter Barnard in Doncaster, LINCOLNSHIRE
- Peter Revell in Hemel Hempstead, HERTS
- Peter Revell in Hemel Hempstead, HERTS
- Pip Al-Khafaji in Rye, EAST SUSSEX
- Richard Jones in Liskeard, CORNWALL
- Robert Waterhouse in Crediton, DEVON
- Robert Wiggins in London, GREATER LONDON
- Thomas Bennell in Bristol,
- Tv15 in Basingstoke,
- Victoria Birkett in Aberdeen, SCOTLAND
- Wayne Farrell in Bradford On Avon, WILTSHIRE
France
- Andrew Dalby in Saint-Coutant, DEUX-SEVRES
Italy
- Ilario in Fossano, CUNEO
Netherlands
- Cheuk A Lam in Amsterdam, NOORD-HOLLAND
Sweden
- Stefan Hellström in Uppsala, UPPLAND
Australia
- Cow & Company in Margate, TASMANIA
- Hayden in Winslow, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
- Stephen Boardman in Acton Park, TAS
New Zealand
- Giles in HAMILTON, WAIKATO
- Katrina Richards in Nelson,
Spring blossom records for this variety
2022 season
- 18th April 2022 - tree owned by Cheuk in Amsterdam, Netherlands
2020 season
- 14th April 2020 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2018 season
- 3rd May 2018 - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom
2017 season
- May 2017 - tree owned by Stefan in Uppsala, Sweden
- 22nd April 2017 - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom
2016 season
- 9th May 2016 - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom
2015 season
- 9th May 2015 - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom
2014 season
- 5th April 2014 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
2013 season
- 15th May 2013 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
- 8th May 2013 - tree owned by Jean in Martock, United Kingdom
2012 season
- 2nd May 2012 - tree owned by Alan in Newport-On-Tay, United Kingdom
- 4th April 2012 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
2011 season
- 2nd May 2011 - tree owned by Ron in Alcalde, United States
- 21st April 2011 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
2010 season
- May 2010 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
2009 season
- May 2009 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
2020 season
- 4th week July 2020 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2017 season
- 2nd week August 2017 - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom
2016 season
- 4th week August 2016 - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom
2015 season
- 4th week August 2015 - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom
2013 season
- September 2013 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
2012 season
- September 2012 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
- January 2012 - tree owned by Katrina in Nelson, New Zealand
2011 season
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Originates from: Devon or south-west England, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 17th century
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1957-189
Identification
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Period of origin: 1650 - 1699
- Fruit colour: Red / Green
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Popularity: Rarely grown
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
Using
- Picking season: Very early
- Keeping (of fruit): 1-3 days
- Flavour quality: Good
- Flavour style (apples): Sweeter
- Vitamin C content: Low
- Cropping: Good
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Food uses: Juice
- Picking period: mid-August
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Average
- Flowering group: 2
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Slightly small
- Bearing regularity: Biennial tendency
- Growth habit: Spreading / Flat-topped
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Organic culture: Suitable
- Self-fertility: Partially self-fertile
Climate
- Frost resistance of blossom: Susceptible
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cold (< 20C / 67F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Good
- Scab (Apple and Pear): Very resistant
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Devonshire Quarrenden apple trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Devonshire Quarrenden apple trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Devonshire Quarrenden:
United Kingdom
England - midlands
- The Vyne, Basingstoke
England - north
- Coulton Mill, York
- Six Nine Orchard, Prudhoe
Canada
British Columbia
- Salt Spring Apple Company, Salt Spring Island
Australia
Victoria
- Heritage Fruits Society, Fairfield
References
- Apples of England (1948)
Author: Taylor