Nonpareil apple
A very old apple variety from France, which became very popular in England. It has a distinctive pear-drop flavour.
Nonpareil is one of the oldest of all apple varieties. The Victorian pomologist Robert Hogg believed it came from France to England in the 16th century, and noted that its aromatic qualities were apparently better appreciated in England than in the land of its birth. Hogg noted that Nonpareil grew best in the south of England (closest to France), and the flavour was less successful when grown in the north of England.
Nonpareil belongs to a small group of apples which have the flavour of pear-drops. This flavour component is fairly unusual, but is also found in one of Nonpareil's probable descendants, Ashmead's Kernel.
Visually, Nonpareil's dull russet colouring is not that attractive - the appeal of this apple is its unique strong pear-drop flavour.
Summary
- Species: Malus domestica
- Parentage: Unknown
- Introduced: 17th century
- Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 158300
Identification
- Bultitude apple group: 8. Russeted, sweet
Using
- Good for eating fresh
- Good for juice
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Flavour style: Pear drop
- Ripening period: Late season
- Use / keeping: 3 months or more
Growing
- Cropping: Good
- Fertility: Self-sterile
- Vigour: Average growth
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
Relationships to other varieties
Offspring of this variety:
Nonpareil identification photos from official fruit collections
Nonpareil 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 Nonpareil 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
- Clare Sheard in CONGLETON, CHESHIRE
Latest Spring blossom records for this variety
2010 season
- 15th May 2010 - tree owned by Clare in CONGLETON, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Latest harvest records for this variety
2010 season
- 2nd week October 2010 - tree owned by Clare in CONGLETON, United Kingdom
Mature heights for Nonpareil trees
This table shows the likely mature height for a Nonpareil 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 | 2.5 ft 0.8 m |
3.1 ft 0.9 m |
3.7 ft 1.1 m |
4.6 ft 1.4 m |
5.5 ft 1.7 m |
| M27 | 2.8 ft 0.9 m |
3.5 ft 1.1 m |
4.2 ft 1.3 m |
5.3 ft 1.6 m |
6.3 ft 1.9 m |
| M9 | 4.2 ft 1.3 m |
5.3 ft 1.6 m |
6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.9 ft 2.4 m |
9.5 ft 2.9 m |
| Bud.9 | 4.2 ft 1.3 m |
5.3 ft 1.6 m |
6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.9 ft 2.4 m |
9.5 ft 2.9 m |
| Geneva 11 | 4.2 ft 1.3 m |
5.3 ft 1.6 m |
6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.9 ft 2.4 m |
9.5 ft 2.9 m |
| Geneva 16 | 4.9 ft 1.5 m |
6.1 ft 1.9 m |
7.4 ft 2.3 m |
9.2 ft 2.8 m |
11.0 ft 3.4 m |
| M26 | 5.3 ft 1.6 m |
6.6 ft 2.0 m |
7.9 ft 2.4 m |
9.8 ft 3.0 m |
11.8 ft 3.6 m |
| Geneva 30 | 5.6 ft 1.7 m |
7.0 ft 2.1 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
10.5 ft 3.2 m |
12.6 ft 3.9 m |
| MM102 | 5.6 ft 1.7 m |
7.0 ft 2.1 m |
8.4 ft 2.6 m |
10.5 ft 3.2 m |
12.6 ft 3.9 m |
| M7 | 6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.9 ft 2.4 m |
9.5 ft 2.9 m |
11.8 ft 3.6 m |
14.2 ft 4.3 m |
| M116 | 6.3 ft 1.9 m |
7.9 ft 2.4 m |
9.5 ft 2.9 m |
11.8 ft 3.6 m |
14.2 ft 4.3 m |
| MM106 | 7.0 ft 2.1 m |
8.8 ft 2.7 m |
10.5 ft 3.2 m |
13.1 ft 4.0 m |
15.8 ft 4.8 m |
| MM111 | 8.1 ft 2.5 m |
10.1 ft 3.1 m |
12.1 ft 3.7 m |
15.1 ft 4.6 m |
18.1 ft 5.6 m |
| Bud.118 | 9.1 ft 2.8 m |
11.4 ft 3.5 m |
13.7 ft 4.2 m |
17.1 ft 5.2 m |
20.5 ft 6.3 m |
| M25 | 10.2 ft 3.1 m |
12.7 ft 3.9 m |
15.2 ft 4.7 m |
19.0 ft 5.8 m |
22.8 ft 7.0 m |
From an idea by N. Buck - more details.
Where to buy apples
No orchards have registered as growing this variety. If you grow this and want to register please go to our Orchard Registration form.
Rate this variety for flavor