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Laxton's Superb apple



Laxton's Superb is a classic and popular English-style variety from the late Victorian period, one of the high-points in the development of English apples. Laxton Brothers were important breeders at this time and this is probably their most important variety.

Laxton's Superb is essentially a Cox-style apple, but with an interesting twist in flavour inherited from its other parent Wyken Pippin, which had been popular since the 18th century but is now little known. The shape is much more upright than the flattened signature of Cox, and is reminiscent of Adams Pearmain. The colour is dull red flush over green - attractive in a subdued way.

The white-green flesh is quite dense and sweet, and very "appley". The texture is firm rather than crisp, and there is not a lot of juice. Not perhaps characteristics that would endear it to a modern audience, but nevertheless it is actually quite appealing. Like several older varieties it somehow tastes better if you cut it with a knife and eat it in slices or wedges rather than biting into it.

Laxton's Superb represented the state of the art of in English apples at the start of the 20th century, and it is fascinating to compare it with the new varieties such as Meridian and Saturn which have come through at the end of the century. All these varieties use Cox's Orange Pippin as a starting point, but the appearance and combination of flavours in Laxton's Superb makes it very different from the up-front appeal of most modern varieties.

Last updated 21 Oct 2011.

The definitive late Victorian dessert apple, firm, Cox-style but sweeter, understated but very "more-ish".

Laxton's Superb photo tape

Origins

  • Species: Malus domestica
  • Parentage: Cox x Wyken Pippin
  • Originates from: Bedford, England, United Kingdom
  • Introduced: 1897
  • Developed by: Laxton Brothers Nursery
  • Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 103900

Identification

  • Bultitude apple group: 7. Flushed / striped, some russeting, sweet

Using

  • Good for eating fresh
  • Flavour quality: Good
  • Flavour style: Sweeter
  • Ripening period: Late season
  • Use / keeping: 1-2 months
  • Vitamin C content: Low

Growing

  • Cropping: Heavy
  • Flowering group: 4
  • Fertility: Partially self-fertile
  • Triploid: No
  • Vigour: Large
  • Biennial tendency
  • Gardening skill: Average
  • General disease resistance: Average

Climate

  • Suitable for temperate climates
  • Tolerates cold winters
  • Suitable for N. England?: Yes

Relationships to other varieties

Parents and other ancestors of this variety:

Offspring of this variety:

Laxton's Superb identification photos from official fruit collections


UK National Fruit Collection

©Crown Copyright more >
UK National Fruit Collection

Laxton's Superb identification photos from website visitors


Laxton's Superb tape


Laxton's Superb

Laxton's Superb tree tape


Laxton's Superb tree

Copyright: S. Lampitt


Rate this variety for flavor

Current rating: 4.0 out of 5. Total votes cast: 1
 

Visitor comments

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

11 Apr 2013 Steve DewsberryNOTTINGHAMSHIRE, United Kingdom
I moved house in 2011 to one which has a Laxton Superb tree in the garden, at a guess maybe about 12-15 years old. 2011 season was exceptional - large quantity of delicious apples, wonderful flavour. 2012 season was a disaster - not a single apple, most probably the late frost saw to that. Here's hoping for a bumper 2013.
28 Aug 2011 Christine SearleSHEFFORD, United Kingdom
Interested to see Michael Strawson's comments above. When I lived in Bedford I lived in a house built on the ground where the Laxton Superb was developed. So when I moved house I planted one and have not got one single apple off it before it went rotten! Very disapppointed. I'm thinking of cutting it down - but reluctant.
07 Oct 2010 N. BuckCAMBRIDGESHIRE, United Kingdom
Laxton's Superb is quite prone to scab. I live in one of the drier and milder parts of the UK (where scab attack is relatively mild), but my Laxton Superb loses most of the fruit to split skins as a result of scab infection. The splits then allow other rots or insects to attack the fruit. Definitely *NOT* recommended for spray-free growing due to scab susceptibility. My own Laxton's Superb is likely to be re-grafted with a more scab-resistant variety.
07 Oct 2010 Edith BettleySOMERSET, United Kingdom
Love this variety, superbe by name, superbe by taste. We planted the tree 10 years ago and got a large crop this year, but most of them are either full of insects rotting on the tree. What are we doing wrong?
27 Apr 2010 Mr G J SewellESSEX, United Kingdom
i have a laxton's superb apple, but it only bears apples every other year,is this normal ,or is there something i can do to encourage it to bear fruit yearly,i planted it october 1987
07 Aug 2009 Michael StrawsonLINCS, United Kingdom
I first tasted this wonderful apple when I bought a house in Bedford which had been owned by one of the Laxton brothers. There were two trees in the garden. I now have one at my home in lincolnshire and it is in it's second season, producing well. I hope I can restrain myself and not start picking too early!
21 May 2009 GordBRADFORD, United Kingdom
The only time I have ever found these apples , was at a friutiers in Tyseley , Brum ......most delicious ! Always looking for more , but will plant a tree now .
12 May 2009 Andrew RobinsonPRESTON, United Kingdom
You should get a crop after the first season since planting.
24 Mar 2009 Darren EdwardsBRIGHTON, United Kingdom
I have just purchased a Laxton's Superb from B&Q for £14.95 if anyone is still looking for this variety. Does anyone know how long I can expect to wait for a crop?
18 Nov 2008 Tony DarbyshirePRESTON LANCS PR44, United Kingdom
I have a 15 year old tree, yealded 400 apples last year. They keep until end of March. Just cut up & Microwave till soft. Only 100 thiis year Lovely flavour.Need lesson on Pruning. Which apple woud be good partner?

13 Oct 2008 Phil WalshGOSFORD, NSW.., Australia
As a child growing up in Holyhead, Anglesey dad had a Laxton Superb tree in the back garden and the fruit was the best. Recently re-acquainted myself with the taste of Cox's Orange Pippin on a visit to the UK, almost as good. Trying to find grower/dsitributor in OZ of either tree.
13 Jun 2008 Lee BullivantBLACKPOOL, United Kingdom
hi peggy mullally due to your comments i have bought a laxtons superb in blackpool at a local garding center its call baguleys garden center in blackpool
25 Nov 2007 Mrs Janet SkermanBRIDGEND, S. WALES, United Kingdom
My father had a laxtons Fortune (early eater) and a Laxtons Superb (late Keeper) both were wonderful. 10 years ago we bought aLaxtons Superb tree, this year due to weather was the best crop ever, full of juice and overladen. I agree it's the best apple ever. Can't we bring it back as a national British apple and beat the french. Help to stop imports, etc.
01 Nov 2007 NinaUnited Kingdom
I found Laxton Superb apples in Sainsbury's on Monday, absolutely delicious, I prefer them to all of the other apple varieties I've bought recently. Check out your local store Peggy! They were supplied by Boxford Farms in Suffolk.
31 Oct 2007 Brian SpencerCORNWALL, United Kingdom
I have an old apple tree at the bottom of the garden and a knowledgeable friend reckons it's a Laxton's Superb. Fruiting better than ever this year - I guess whatever the weather something benefits! And welcome lack of autumn gales means most of the apples have stayed on the tree for once. I have just eaten a couple of the apples - beautiful taste, the way they should be.
29 Oct 2007 SarahNORFOLK, United Kingdom
Just bitten into an apple from the old tree growing against the back wall in my garden. Utterly delicious and It must be the summer we've had - it was dripping with juice.
19 Oct 2007 Pat BaskervilleLETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY, HERTS, United Kingdom
We have a Laxton tree in our garden and this year it is so overladened that we cannot use the apples! We are giving them away to anyone who likes them, and a lot do, because we do not want to waste them. The house is about 90 years old, the tree must have been there a long time. Mrs Mullally is welcome to some if she is every up our way.
15 Oct 2007 Peggy MullallyLEAMINGTON SPA, United Kingdom
We had a Laxton's superb apple tree in our garden when I was a child in the 40's. It is to my mind, the most delicious apple that I have ever had the pleasure of eating. My big disappointment in life, is that I have never ever found anywhere that sells them since. Please tell me if you can, where I can purchase them. I will be forever grateful.
03 Aug 2007 TomUnited Kingdom
Just tasted our Laxton's Superb, first crop, totally agree with your description, superb

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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 Laxton's Superb 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

Denmark

Australia



Latest Spring blossom records for this variety

2013 season

  • 13th May  2013  - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom

2012 season

  • 11th May  2012  - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
  • 19th April  2012  - tree owned by John in LEATHERHEAD, United Kingdom

2011 season

  • 29th April  2011  - tree owned by Hanne in Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
  • 26th April  2011  - tree owned by John in LEATHERHEAD, United Kingdom
  • 24th April  2011  - tree owned by Mary in , United Kingdom
  • 22nd April  2011  - tree owned by Ed in Cheser, United Kingdom
  • 18th April  2011  - tree owned by Keith in Helmsley, York, United Kingdom
  • 18th April  2011  - tree owned by Graeme in STANDLAKE, United Kingdom

2010 season

  • 5th May  2010  - tree owned by John in LEATHERHEAD, United Kingdom
  • 4th May  2010  - tree owned by Jon in Keelby, United Kingdom
  • 4th May  2010  - tree owned by Jon in Keelby, United Kingdom
  • 1st May  2010  - tree owned by N. in CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom
  • 29th April  2010  - tree owned by Simon in MALVERN, United Kingdom
  • April  2010  - tree owned by Lyn in Cambridge, United Kingdom

2009 season

  • 7th May  2009  - tree owned by John in LEATHERHEAD, United Kingdom
  • May  2009  - tree owned by Lyn in Cambridge, United Kingdom
  • May  2009  - tree owned by Ed in Cheser, United Kingdom
  • 20th April  2009  - tree owned by N. in CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom
  •  March  2009  - tree owned by Norman in Lewes, United Kingdom

Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.

Latest harvest records for this variety

2013 season

    2012 season

    • 1st week October  2012  - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
    • 1st week October  2012  - tree owned by Michael in BRACKNELL, United Kingdom

    2011 season

    • 2nd week October  2011  - tree owned by Mandy in BEDFORD, United Kingdom
    • October  2011  - tree owned by Beccy in BEXHILL-ON-SEA, United Kingdom
    • October  2011  - tree owned by Helen in SOUTHAMPTON, United Kingdom
    • 1st week September  2011  - tree owned by Steve in NOTTINGHAM, United Kingdom
    • 3rd week August  2011  - tree owned by John in LEATHERHEAD, United Kingdom
    • 1st week January  2011  - tree owned by Nicola in TEESDALE, Australia

    2010 season

    • October  2010  - tree owned by Lyn in Cambridge, United Kingdom
    • October  2010  - tree owned by Beccy in BEXHILL-ON-SEA, United Kingdom
    • 3rd week September  2010  - tree owned by Keith in Helmsley, York, United Kingdom
    • 2nd week September  2010  - tree owned by John in LEATHERHEAD, United Kingdom

    2009 season

    • 2nd week October  2009  - tree owned by Peter in NORTHWICH, United Kingdom
    • October  2009  - tree owned by Lyn in Cambridge, United Kingdom
    • October  2009  - tree owned by N. in CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom
    • 2nd week September  2009  - tree owned by John in LEATHERHEAD, United Kingdom
    • 2nd week September  2009  - tree owned by Keith in Helmsley, York, United Kingdom
    • September  2009  - tree owned by Ed in Cheser, United Kingdom
    • August  2009  - tree owned by Norman in Lewes, United Kingdom

Where to buy apple trees

The following fruit tree nurseries offer Laxton's Superb apple trees for sale:

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