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All about apples, pears, plums, and cherries - and orchards where they are grown

Lady Henniker apple

Malus domestica
/ 3 see reviews
Lady Henniker

Victorian author Robert Hogg recounts details he received about the origins of this variety from the original grower, John Perkins, Lord Henniker's gardener, who raised it from seed in the 1840s.  It is a useful technique for anyone wishing to raise their own apple variety.

He started by planting "several bushels of apple pips", which were a waste product from cider production.  The most promising seedlings were selected and the rest removed, and this process was repeated for several years, until only the best varieties remained.

Although well-regarded in Victorian times for its heavy-cropping and reliability, it is no longer widely-grown.

Lady Henniker apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

  • Lady Henniker
  • Lady Henniker

USDA identification images for Lady Henniker

The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.

  • USDA watercolor image of Malus domestica: Lady Henniker

Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.

Visitor reviews

  • 26 Aug 2020  LINCOLNSHIRE, United Kingdom
    The tree was well established when we moved into our house over 25 years ago. I think it must be at least 100 years old now. Every year, it seems to have produced a bigger crop, far more than we can deal with. Unfortunately, a recent storm has brought down one of its branches and I have noticed a deep rotten furrow near the base of one of its two main branches. I fear it is coming to the end of its life.
  • 03 Oct 2019  WEST MIDLANDS, United Kingdom
    I share this enthusiasm for Lady Henniker. Crops very well with large Apples, which could lead you to consider it for dual purpose. It certainly cooks down to a fine froth, but is so tasty fresh that I prefer to eat it that way. A fine sweet and sharp eater - highly recommended.
  • 13 Oct 2016  NP26 5PQ, United Kingdom
    We have 2 trees that were clearly old when we moved into our house in 1980. They are prolific, reliable, robust and keep well. The best apple we have ever tasted - can't understand why they aren't more popular and widely available.

Tree register

United Kingdom

Harvest records for this variety

2017 season

  • 4th week September  2017  - tree owned by John in Alvechurch, United Kingdom

2014 season

  • 3rd week September  2014  - tree owned by Hannah in Minsterley, United Kingdom

Origins

  • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
  • Parentage: Raised from a pip, unknown parentage
  • Originates from: Eye, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom
  • Introduced: 1840s
  • Developed by: John Perkins, gardener to Lord Henniker, Thornham Hall
  • UK National Fruit Collection accession: 2000-056

Identification

  • Country of origin: United Kingdom
  • Period of origin: 1800 - 1849
  • Annual cycle: Deciduous
  • Fruit size: Large

Using

  • Picking season: Late
  • Keeping (of fruit): 3 months or more
  • Flavour quality: Good
  • Flavour style (apples): Sharper
  • Cooking result: Puree
  • Juice style: Sharper
  • Cropping: Heavy
  • Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
  • Food uses: Eating fresh
  • Food uses: Culinary
  • Food uses: Traditional cooker
  • Food uses: Dual purpose
  • Picking month: September
  • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

Growing

  • Gardening skill: Average
  • Flowering group: 4
  • Pollinating others: Poor
  • Ploidy: Triploid
  • Vigour: Vigorous
  • Bearing regularity: Regular
  • Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
  • Organic culture: Suitable
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

Climate

  • Climate suitability: Temperate climates
  • Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
  • Cold-hardiness: Cold-hardy

Other qualities

  • Disease resistance: Good
  • Scab (Apple and Pear): Some resistance

Where to buy trees

The following tree nurseries offer Lady Henniker apple trees for sale:


Where to buy fresh fruit

No orchards have registered as growing this variety. If you grow this and want to register please go to our Orchard Registration form.



References

  • Apples of England (1948)
    Author: Taylor
  • The Fruit Manual
    Author: Hogg
    A first-rate apple. Healthy. A great bearer.

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