Howgate Wonder apple

Malus domestica

Very large cooker, not great flavour when cooked but excellent sharp juice

A very large apple that can be quite sweet and pleasant when eaten fresh but basically it is a cooking apple.  However, we note that many visitors to this website disagree and think it is a good eating variety too!

Last updated 10 Jun 2010 by Orange Pippin.

Summary

  • Parentage: Blenheim Orange x Newton Wonder
  • Origin: England, United Kingdom
  • Introduced: 1915
  • Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 102900

Identification

  • Bultitude apple group: 3. Flushed / striped, smooth, acidic, culinary

Growing

  • Vigour: Large

Mature tree heights for this variety (approximate)

Rootstock Soil quality
Poor Below average Average Above average Very good
P22 2.7 ft
0.8 m
3.4 ft
1.0 m
4.1 ft
1.2 m
4.7 ft
1.5 m
5.4 ft
1.7 m
M27 3.6 ft
1.1 m
4.5 ft
1.4 m
5.4 ft
1.7 m
6.3 ft
1.9 m
7.2 ft
2.2 m
M9 5.4 ft
1.7 m
6.8 ft
2.1 m
8.1 ft
2.5 m
9.5 ft
2.9 m
10.8 ft
3.3 m
Bud.9 5.4 ft
1.7 m
6.8 ft
2.1 m
8.1 ft
2.5 m
9.5 ft
2.9 m
10.8 ft
3.3 m
Geneva 16 5.4 ft
1.7 m
6.8 ft
2.1 m
8.1 ft
2.5 m
9.5 ft
2.9 m
10.8 ft
3.3 m
Geneva 11 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
M26 7.2 ft
2.2 m
9.0 ft
2.8 m
10.8 ft
3.3 m
12.6 ft
3.9 m
14.4 ft
4.4 m
Geneva 30 7.2 ft
2.2 m
9.0 ft
2.8 m
10.8 ft
3.3 m
12.6 ft
3.9 m
14.4 ft
4.4 m
MM102 7.2 ft
2.2 m
9.0 ft
2.8 m
10.8 ft
3.3 m
12.6 ft
3.9 m
14.4 ft
4.4 m
M7 8.1 ft
2.5 m
10.1 ft
3.1 m
12.2 ft
3.7 m
14.2 ft
4.3 m
16.2 ft
5.0 m
M116 8.1 ft
2.5 m
10.1 ft
3.1 m
12.2 ft
3.7 m
14.2 ft
4.3 m
16.2 ft
5.0 m
MM106 9.0 ft
2.8 m
11.3 ft
3.5 m
13.5 ft
4.1 m
15.8 ft
4.8 m
18.0 ft
5.5 m
MM111 10.8 ft
3.3 m
13.5 ft
4.1 m
16.2 ft
5.0 m
18.9 ft
5.8 m
21.6 ft
6.6 m
Bud.118 12.6 ft
3.9 m
15.8 ft
4.8 m
18.9 ft
5.8 m
22.1 ft
6.8 m
25.2 ft
7.7 m
M25 14.4 ft
4.4 m
18.0 ft
5.5 m
21.6 ft
6.6 m
25.2 ft
7.7 m
28.8 ft
8.8 m
From an idea by N. Buck - more details.

Relationships to other varieties

Parents and other ancestors of this variety:

Visitor comments

(Use the form at the bottom to add your own comments about this variety)

13 Dec 2009 CorinnePETERBOROUGH, United Kingdom
Howgate apples are huge, delicious and must not be allowed to die out. I went out today to try to get some in the Wisbech area - where I believe they are grown - but was told that the apples are being left on the trees -or to fall - as no one wants them. that is because you can not get them in shops. Just one large apple will make a great family apple crumble with very little sugar.

18 Nov 2009 Andrew ColchesterSUFFOLK, United Kingdom
I have an old tree in my garden. It is a reliable very heavy cropper. Mainly used as cooker, apple pies, apple sauce, etc. and excellent for cider!

18 Oct 2009 GrahamHARLOW, United Kingdom
I have, what I believe to be, a Howgate Wonder in my garden. I would like to have that confirmed. The fruit is very large - the largest I have picked weighed over 3lbs last year. Where can I post some pictures to check if I am right?

16 Oct 2009 CarlKING'S LYNN, United Kingdom
Just bought a bag giant apple today seller said they were Howgate and suggested I removed core, filled with Mincemeat and Microwave for 10mins. I have never seen a larger apple, are these the largest in UK? Carl

25 Jul 2009 JeffYORK, United Kingdom
This apple needs to be reasonably ripe before cooking otherwise it will remain hard. See Jim Prentice 29/7/2008. Pick October will keep to April.

24 Feb 2009 RonhutsonNORWICH NORFOLK, United Kingdom
Feb. I have just bought my first Howgate Wonders and following advice not to add sugar just currants I baked it for 10 mins in a microwave and with a little icecream it was delicious, though skins a bit tough which I ate anyway. If i had space I would certainly buy a tree.

20 Nov 2008 TimGRANTHAM, LINCOLNSHIRE. ENGLAND, United Kingdom
One of my clients gave me some of these apples off his tree today. Although the skins are blotchy and the fruits vary a lot in size the fruit itself is quite good once the skin is removed. Not as sharp as i expected but tasty and still juicy bearing in mind it is mid november.

18 Oct 2008 LesleySTOCKPORT, CHESHIRE,UK, United Kingdom
What I like most about the Howgate Wonder is that it doesn't need any added sugar if you do choose to cook it.

14 Oct 2008 Tony SandersWEST DORSET, United Kingdom
Have just picked a 1lb 12 3/4oz apple - delicious to eat with or without Cheddar cheese!!

12 Oct 2008 AlinaOXON, United Kingdom
I regretted planting this one as the cooked flavour is not up to much unless flavoured with currants or berries, used it mainly in mincemeat. Maybe its better eaten raw...

28 Sep 2008 Christine ChapmanBLETCHLEY MILTON KEYNES, United Kingdom
I discovered this apple about 35 years ago. Every year the manager of the friut shop would ring to tell me they were in.I never found that apple again after the shop closed down, until today when my brother informed me that he has a tree at his farm.I have just eaten one again after about thirty years of being Howgateless.They are the best!There is no apple better in my opinion.

04 Aug 2008 EdLONDON, United Kingdom
I agree - why cook it! It's a great eating apple!

29 Jul 2008 Jim PrenticeLANCASHIRE, United Kingdom
Many years ago I purchased a Howgate Wonder on the advice of a nursery man but soon found that the apples remained hard even when cooked for a considerable period of time. It was replaced with a Bramley Seedling that in my opinion is a much better cooking apple.

19 Feb 2008 RachelOXFORDSHIRE, United Kingdom
Quite agree with Clarissa - very nice raw!

10 Dec 2007 Vernon KernsWEST VIRGINIA, United States
Is it possible to import apple scion wood from England? Vernon Kerns

14 Oct 2007 ClarissaLINCOLNSHIRE, United Kingdom
Why spoil this delicious apple by cooking it? It is one of the best flavoured eating apples around, and a very good keeper as well. This year the skins are a bit scabby, but still taste lovely.

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Varieties you have viewed


Where to buy apple trees

The following fruit tree nurseries offer Howgate Wonder apple trees for sale:

Where to buy apples

The following orchards and suppliers offer fresh Howgate Wonder apples for sale:


Apple tree register

The following Howgate Wonder apple trees have been registered - click the name to view more details of each tree:

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.


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