James Grieve apple
A versatile cooking apple, excellent for juice, and widely used in breeding programmes.
James Grieve is a justifiably popular dual-purpose apple variety, raised in Scotland at the end of the 19th century, the height of the Victorian period of apple development in the UK. James Grieve is a mid-season variety that is picked in early-mid September. At this stage it is pleasantly acidic and refreshing and if it is too sharp for eating it can be used for cooking (cut it into small chunks, it keeps its shape when cooked). After a few weeks the flavour sweetens and becomes quite mild, and it is then an excellent apple to eat in slices along with a cheese course. The flesh is soft, somewhat like a firm pear in texture.
Our photo shows a 'sport' known as Red James Grieve which was discovered in the 1920s. This is a natural genetic mutation of James Grieve - the shape and size are identical to the parent James Grieve but the red flush is more solid. There are a number of sports of James Grieve, a reflection of how widely it has been grown and the commercial interest shown in the variety in the early part of the 20th century. The photo also makes clear that James Grieve is a very handsome apple, and the skin has a slight satin sheen to it.
James Grieve has been used as the basis of a number of newer varieties, some of which have become successful as garden apple trees or in small-scale commercial plantings. One reason why you might want to use James Grieve in a new variety breeding programme is that it invariably passes on its inherent acidity, which can be an excellent way to stiffen the flavour of a new variety whose other parentage is sweet or bland. Varieties such as Greensleeves, Lord Lambourne, Elton Beauty, and Katy all inherit the acid kick from James Grieve which helps make them so refreshing. Lord Lambourne has also in turn proved popular in breeding programmes so James Grieve is one of a relatively small number of varieties which has 'grand-children' - Topaz is probably the most well-known of these. Like James Grieve these are all early to mid-season varieties.
Another important James Grieve characteristic is its juiciness - bite into one and the flesh glistens with juice. This makes it a great apple variety if you want to make your own apple juice - a feature also inherited by Katy.
Interestingly the parentage of James Grieve itself has not been fully established. Cox's Orange Pippin is a possible candidate, as it was a popular apple for amateur breeders at the time (as it still is). James Grieve has a very similar shape, which is a good indication, but it appears to have none of the aromatic sweetness of Cox. This is not necessarily a reason to reject Cox as a parent, since we do not know the other parent, and Ribston Pippin (the likely parent of Cox) has a robust flavour which is not dissimilar to James Grieve. The other possible candidate is Pott's Seedling, a popular commercial cooking apple of the period.
Summary
- Species: Malus domestica
- Parentage: Potts Seedling ?
- Origin: Scotland, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1893
- Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 114100
Identification
- Fruit colour: Red / Green
- Flesh colour: Cream
- Fruit size: Large
- Bultitude apple group: 4. Flushed / striped, smooth, dessert / dual-purpose
Using
- Good for cooking
- Good for juice
- Good for hard cider
- Cooking result: Keeps shape
- Flavour quality: Average
- Flavour style: Sharper
- Ripening period: Mid season
- Use / keeping: 1-2 months
Growing
- Cropping: Good
- Flowering period: Mid season
- Flowering group: 3
- Fertility: Partially self-fertile
- Triploid: No
- Good pollinator: Yes
- Vigour: Slightly large
- Gardening skill: Very easy
- General disease resistance: Average
Climate
- Suitable for temperate climates
- Tolerates cold winters Blossom is frost-resistant
- Suitable for NW. Scotland?: Yes may suffer from scab in wetter areas
- Suitable for N. England?: Yes
Other qualities
- RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993
Disease resistance
- Fireblight - Some susceptibility
Relationships to other varieties
Parents and other ancestors of this variety:
- Pott's Seedling (parent)
Offspring of this variety:
- Elton Beauty
- Falstaff
- Greensleeves
- Katy
- Lord Lambourne
- Meridian (distant descendant)
- Red Falstaff
- Topaz (distant descendant)
James Grieve identification photos from official fruit collections
ARS GRIN
©Copyright
James Grieve identification photos from website visitors
Copyright: S. Hockenhull
Copyright: S. Watt
Fruit tree register
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.
The following James Grieve trees have been registered - click the name to view more details of each tree.
You can also view these trees on a map.
United Kingdom
- Alex in
- Alison Cooke in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
- Alison Underwood in COLWYN BAY, NORTH WALES
- Andrew Colchester in Bures, Suffolk, UK
- Andrew Guille in St Saviour, GUERNSEY
- Anne Maxwell in Leitholm, Berwickshire
- Bluemarlin in BURNLEY, LANCASHIRE
- Bob Horne in York, North Yorkshire
- Bruce Nottrodt in TAUNTON, SOMERSET
- Christopher in SLEAFORD, LINCS
- Cindy Reynolds in Aldershot, Hampshire
- Clive Rowlands in NORTHAMPTON, Northants
- Craig Bridge in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
- Dave Alston in Belper, DERBYSHIRE
- David Carpenter in BANBURY, OXFORDSHIRE
- David Harmston in SLEAFORD, Lincs
- David Hill in BRAINTREE, ESSEX
- David Price in AYR, SOUTH AYRSHIRE
- David Price in AYR, SOUTH AYRSHIRE
- David Smith in Leeds, Yorkshire England
- David Wright in SHEFFIELD, SOUTH YORKSHIRE
- Dianne Trembath in NEWPORT, SHROPSHIRE
- Dougas Wilson in Perth,
- Dr Mairi Rennie in PETERSFIELD, WEST SUSSEX
- Elizabeth Hodge in EVESHAM, Worcestershire
- Ellen Graves in ST ANDREWS, FIFE
- Fiona Worby in NEWBURY, Berkshire
- Gillian Pottermerrigan in MANCHESTER, Lancashire
- Graham Charles Schofield in NEWMARKET, Sufflok
- Graham Hinchliffe in EASTBOURNE, EAST SUSSEX
- Hans Butler in LOUGHBOROUGH, LEIESTERSHIRE
- Heidi Saxby in YORKS, NORTH YORKS
- Ian Mcintyre in WAKEFIELD, West Yorkshire
- J D James in Caerdydd,
- James in MELBOURNE, DERBYSHIRE
- James C. Porteous in York, North Yorkshire
- Janet Brown in CARNOUSTIE, Angus
- Jean Lippett in Martock, Somerset
- Jock Nicol in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire
- John Ellis in SALISBURY, Wiltshire
- Julian Harrop in Durham, Co Durham
- June Russell in STOCKPORT, CHESHIRE
- Kate Bagenal-Lowe in WOOLER, NORTHUMBERLAND
- Keith Johnston in ABAERDEEN, aberdeenshire
- Kerry Evert in CHEDZOY, SOMERSET
- Linda Robinson in DARLINGTON, DURHAM
- Linda Twidle in NUNEATON, warwickshire
- Lyn Eryl Jones in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
- Malcolm Whitmore in loughborough, leics
- Margaret Brooker in Ellerker, East Yorkshire
- Margaret Parsons in HULL, EAST YORKSHIRE
- Mark Shirley in Market Harborough, Leicestershire
- Mary Burt in BEGBROKE, Oxfordshire
- Mike Fox in Brede, E.Sussex
- Mike Snelgrove in ABERGAVENNY, MONMOUTHSHIRE
- Mrs Jane Brown in settle, north yorkshire
- N. Buck in CAMBRIDGE, Cambridgeshire
- N. Buck in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
- Neil Poulsom in Alford, Lincolnshhire
- Robert Mchattie in AYR, Ayrshire
- Robert Wagner in NR KILMARNOCK, AYRSHIRE
- Rupert in HOLNEST, DORSET
- Sally in DERBYSHIRE
- Sarah Alexander in Shrewsbury, Shropshire
- Stan Watt in GARDENSTOWN, ABERDEENSHIRE
- Steve Webster in TRURO, CORNWALL
- Suzanne Mcnally in banbury, oxon
- Terry Smith in HUNTINGFORD, DORSET
- Tw in KENT
- Vanessa Brooks (Mrs) in Stevenage, England
- Victoria Birkett in ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND
Belgium
- Skycraper in Haasrode, Vlaams-Brabant
Denmark
- Hanne Olsen in Kgs. Lyngby,
Ireland
- Nikolai in DUBLIN, DUBLIN
- Patsy Connolly in GALWAY, ireland
- Ronan Connolly in DUBLIN, DUBLIN
- Simon Clarke in DULEEK, COUNTY MEATH
- Ute Bohnsack in KILFENORA, CLARE
Italy
- Jan Huston in CASTEL D'AIANO, BOLOGNA
- Jan Huston in CASTEL D'AIANO, BOLOGNA
Netherlands
- Bas Cretskens in Stevensweert, Limburg
- Nynke Zijlstra in Eastermar, Friesland
Spain
- Judith Rhind in PLENCIA, SPAIN
Australia
- Jenny in MELBOURNE, VICTORIA,
Switzerland
- Helmut Mueller in NEUKIRCH, Thurgau
Poland
- Richard in KRAKOW,
Latest Spring blossom records for this variety
2011 season
- 3rd May 2011 - tree owned by Stan in GARDENSTOWN, United Kingdom
- 3rd May 2011 - tree owned by Keith in ABAERDEEN, United Kingdom
- 27th April 2011 - tree owned by Ellen in ST ANDREWS, United Kingdom
- 27th April 2011 - tree owned by Robert in AYR, United Kingdom
- 25th April 2011 - tree owned by Malcolm in loughborough, United Kingdom
- 20th April 2011 - tree owned by David in SLEAFORD, United Kingdom
- 17th April 2011 - tree owned by Bruce in TAUNTON, United Kingdom
- 16th April 2011 - tree owned by James in York, United Kingdom
- 14th April 2011 - tree owned by Ronan in DUBLIN, Ireland
- 13th April 2011 - tree owned by James in MELBOURNE, United Kingdom
- 13th April 2011 - tree owned by Dr in PETERSFIELD, United Kingdom
- 12th April 2011 - tree owned by Simon in DULEEK, Ireland
- March 2011 - tree owned by Vanessa in Stevenage, United Kingdom
2010 season
- 20th May 2010 - tree owned by Mrs J in settle, United Kingdom
- 15th May 2010 - tree owned by June in STOCKPORT, United Kingdom
- 1st May 2010 - tree owned by David in SLEAFORD, United Kingdom
- May 2010 - tree owned by David in SHEFFIELD, United Kingdom
- 30th April 2010 - tree owned by Robert in AYR, United Kingdom
- 29th April 2010 - tree owned by Elizabeth in EVESHAM, United Kingdom
- 27th April 2010 - tree owned by Cindy in Aldershot, United Kingdom
- 3rd April 2010 - tree owned by Nikolai in DUBLIN, Ireland
- April 2010 - tree owned by Fiona in NEWBURY, United Kingdom
2009 season
- May 2009 - tree owned by Mary in BEGBROKE, United Kingdom
- 11th April 2009 - tree owned by N. in CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom
- April 2009 - tree owned by Malcolm in loughborough, United Kingdom
- March 2009 - tree owned by Vanessa in Stevenage, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Latest harvest records for this variety
2011 season
- 2nd week September 2011 - tree owned by Bruce in TAUNTON, United Kingdom
- 1st week September 2011 - tree owned by James in MELBOURNE, United Kingdom
- 4th week August 2011 - tree owned by Bas in Stevensweert, Netherlands
2010 season
- 3rd week September 2010 - tree owned by James in York, United Kingdom
- 3rd week September 2010 - tree owned by Bluemarlin in BURNLEY, United Kingdom
- 2nd week September 2010 - tree owned by Dianne in NEWPORT, United Kingdom
- 2nd week September 2010 - tree owned by Nikolai in DUBLIN, Ireland
- 2nd week September 2010 - tree owned by Robert in AYR, United Kingdom
- 2nd week September 2010 - tree owned by David in BANBURY, United Kingdom
- 2nd week September 2010 - tree owned by June in STOCKPORT, United Kingdom
- September 2010 - tree owned by Fiona in NEWBURY, United Kingdom
- 3rd week August 2010 - tree owned by Dr in PETERSFIELD, United Kingdom
- August 2010 - tree owned by Vanessa in Stevenage, United Kingdom
2009 season
- 3rd week September 2009 - tree owned by James in York, United Kingdom
- 3rd week September 2009 - tree owned by Nikolai in DUBLIN, Ireland
- 2nd week September 2009 - tree owned by David in BANBURY, United Kingdom
- 1st week September 2009 - tree owned by Jean in Martock, United Kingdom
- 1st week September 2009 - tree owned by Bas in Stevensweert, Netherlands
- 1st week September 2009 - tree owned by Dianne in NEWPORT, United Kingdom
- September 2009 - tree owned by N. in CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom
- 3rd week August 2009 - tree owned by Vanessa in Stevenage, United Kingdom
- August 2009 - tree owned by Mary in BEGBROKE, United Kingdom
- August 2009 - tree owned by Malcolm in loughborough, United Kingdom
Mature heights for James Grieve trees
This table shows the likely mature height for a James Grieve 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 | 2.8 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 |
| M27 | 3.2 ft 1.0 m |
4.0 ft 1.2 m |
4.8 ft 1.5 m |
5.6 ft 1.7 m |
6.4 ft 2.0 m |
| M9 | 4.8 ft 1.5 m |
6.0 ft 1.8 m |
7.2 ft 2.2 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
9.6 ft 2.9 m |
| Bud.9 | 4.8 ft 1.5 m |
6.0 ft 1.8 m |
7.2 ft 2.2 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
9.6 ft 2.9 m |
| Geneva 16 | 4.8 ft 1.5 m |
6.0 ft 1.8 m |
7.2 ft 2.2 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
9.6 ft 2.9 m |
| Geneva 11 | 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 |
| M26 | 6.0 ft 1.8 m |
7.5 ft 2.3 m |
9.0 ft 2.8 m |
10.5 ft 3.2 m |
12.0 ft 3.7 m |
| Geneva 30 | 6.4 ft 2.0 m |
8.0 ft 2.5 m |
9.6 ft 2.9 m |
11.2 ft 3.4 m |
12.8 ft 3.9 m |
| MM102 | 6.4 ft 2.0 m |
8.0 ft 2.5 m |
9.6 ft 2.9 m |
11.2 ft 3.4 m |
12.8 ft 3.9 m |
| M7 | 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 |
| M116 | 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 |
| MM106 | 8.0 ft 2.5 m |
10.0 ft 3.1 m |
12.0 ft 3.7 m |
14.0 ft 4.3 m |
16.0 ft 4.9 m |
| MM111 | 9.6 ft 2.9 m |
12.0 ft 3.7 m |
14.4 ft 4.4 m |
16.8 ft 5.2 m |
19.2 ft 5.9 m |
| Bud.118 | 10.4 ft 3.2 m |
13.0 ft 4.0 m |
15.6 ft 4.8 m |
18.2 ft 5.6 m |
20.8 ft 6.4 m |
| M25 | 12.0 ft 3.7 m |
15.0 ft 4.6 m |
18.0 ft 5.5 m |
21.0 ft 6.4 m |
24.0 ft 7.4 m |
From an idea by N. Buck - more details.
Where to buy apple trees
The following fruit tree nurseries offer James Grieve apple trees for sale:
-
Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA)
United States Supplier's website >> -
Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK)
United Kingdom Supplier's website >>
Where to buy apples
The following orchards and suppliers offer James Grieve apples for sale. map >
United Kingdommap >
-
England - midlandsmap >
-
England - south-eastmap >
- The Apple Farm, Freshwater
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