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

Sans Pareil apple

Sans Pareil or Sanspareil (meaning "without equal) is an old English apple variety with a good flavour for eating fresh or for cooking.  It continues to have a small following amongst English gardeners as a heavy-cropping late-season variety with excellent resistance to the common diseases of apples and very good keeping qualities.  It is at its best if picked green and stored for a period.

USDA identification images for Sans Pareil

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

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

    Visitor reviews

    • 18 Oct 2010  DERBYSHIRE, United Kingdom
      Great to see this fabulous apple listed on your site. It was my favourite apple in my grandfather's orchard in Hertfordshire when I was a child. I always used to help him pick it as I was lighter to go up the higher bracnches. I would eat as many as he would let me. We used to store it, the skin would go quite greasy and later wrinkly but they we were still delicious near Christmas! 30 years later, I have located a supplier in Kent to put in my own orchard in Derbyshire so I can pick them with my own children and grandchildren! Do not underestimate this apple. I have forgotten the name of many others in the orchard but never this one. Seek one out and try it - it is an absolute delight.

    Tree register

    United Kingdom

    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2013 season

    • 22nd May  2013  - tree owned by Jean in Martock, United Kingdom

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


    Origins

    • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
    • Originates from: United Kingdom
    • UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1957-226

    Identification

    • Country of origin: United Kingdom
    • Fruit colour: Red / Green

    Using

    • Picking season: Late
    • Keeping (of fruit): 3 months or more
    • Flavour quality: Very good
    • Flavour style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
    • Cooking result: Keeps shape
    • Cropping: Heavy
    • Food uses: Eating fresh
    • Food uses: Culinary

    Growing

    • Gardening skill: Beginner
    • Flowering group: 3
    • Ploidy: Diploid
    • Vigour: Average vigour
    • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

    Climate

    • Climate suitability: Temperate climates

    Other qualities

    • Disease resistance: Good

    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

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