King of the Pippins apple
A good early/mid-season dual-purpose variety, thought to originate from 18th century France (where it is known as Reine de Reinettes) but widely grown in England since Victorian times.
A popular 19th century apple, very widely grown in Europe at the time, and versatile for culinary and dessert uses. King of the Pippins is a sharp, firm, juicy apple which sweetens in storage.
If this variety were discovered today it would hardly merit the title "King" of the pippins, or even "Reine" de Reinettes" (queen of the reinettes) as it is called in France. However back in the late 18th century when it first became known the name was probably more appropriate.
The main attraction of King of the Pippins today is its versatility. It can be used as a dessert apple but also has many culinary uses. It keeps its shape when cooked and brings an authentic old-fashioned flavour. The sweet-sharp juice is also useful for making fresh apple juice and in cider-making.
Also known as
- Reine des Reinettes
Summary
- Species: Malus domestica
- Parentage: Unknown
- Origin: France
- Introduced: 1770s
- Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 111100
Identification
- Bultitude apple group: 7. Flushed / striped, some russeting, sweet
Growing
- Flowering period: Mid-Late season
- Flowering group: 4
- Fertility: Partially self-fertile
- Triploid: No
- Vigour: Slightly small
Other qualities
- RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993
Relationships to other varieties
Offspring of this variety:
King of the Pippins identification photos from official fruit collections
ARS GRIN
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King of the Pippins identification photos from website visitors
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 King of the Pippins trees have been registered - click the name to view more details of each tree.
You can also view these trees on a map.
United States
- John Cummins in NEW MARKET, TN/JEFFERSON
United Kingdom
- Jane Eve in MARTLEY, WORCS
- Jill Leigh in norwich, norfolk
- John Drinkwater in MALVERN, WORCESTERSHIRE
- Kay in LEEDS, W Yorks
- Mrs Sheana Penelope Griffiths in PAXTON, BERWICKSHIRE
- Roger Smith in DERBY, DERBYSHIRE
- Sandy Norman in ST ALBANS, Herts
Poland
- Richard in KRAKOW,
Latest Spring blossom records for this variety
2011 season
- 19th April 2011 - tree owned by John in MALVERN, United Kingdom
- March 2011 - tree owned by John in NEW MARKET, United States
2010 season
- 10th May 2010 - tree owned by Sandy in ST ALBANS, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Latest harvest records for this variety
2011 season
2010 season
- 3rd week September 2010 - tree owned by John in MALVERN, United Kingdom
Mature heights for King of the Pippins trees
This table shows the likely mature height for a King of the Pippins 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 | 2.1 ft 0.6 m |
2.6 ft 0.8 m |
3.2 ft 1.0 m |
3.7 ft 1.1 m |
4.2 ft 1.3 m |
| M27 | 2.4 ft 0.7 m |
3.0 ft 0.9 m |
3.6 ft 1.1 m |
4.2 ft 1.3 m |
4.8 ft 1.5 m |
| M9 | 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 |
| Bud.9 | 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 |
| Geneva 16 | 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 |
| Geneva 11 | 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 |
| M26 | 4.5 ft 1.4 m |
5.6 ft 1.7 m |
6.8 ft 2.1 m |
7.9 ft 2.4 m |
9.0 ft 2.8 m |
| Geneva 30 | 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 |
| MM102 | 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 |
| M7 | 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 |
| M116 | 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 |
| MM106 | 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 |
| MM111 | 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 |
| Bud.118 | 7.8 ft 2.4 m |
9.8 ft 3.0 m |
11.7 ft 3.6 m |
13.7 ft 4.2 m |
15.6 ft 4.8 m |
| M25 | 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 |
From an idea by N. Buck - more details.
Where to buy apple trees
The following fruit tree nurseries offer King of the Pippins apple trees for sale:
-
Keepers Nursery
United Kingdom More >>
Where to buy apples
The following orchards and suppliers offer King of the Pippins apples for sale. map >
United Statesmap >
-
Minnesotamap >
- Two Fruit's Fruits, Hinckley
-
Tennesseemap >
- Indian Cave Orchards, New Market
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