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

Rosemary Russet apple

Rosemary Russet
A classic English russet apple from the Victorian era, though not as well known as its contemporaries.

Rosemary Russet apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

  • Rosemary Russet
  • Rosemary Russet

USDA identification images for Rosemary Russet

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.

    Parents and other ancestors of this variety

    • Nonpareil (parent) - https://research.reading.ac.uk/research-blog/heritage-apples-the-parentage-of-coxs-orange-pippin/

    Offspring of this variety


    Visitor reviews

    • 13 Dec 2013  BERKS, United Kingdom
      My most favourite apple I've ever tasted. The flavour is intensely 'appley, acidic (like a good Granny Smith), the texture firm but juicy - what more can you want in an apple! So pleased that my local orchard at Crosslanes Farm, Mapleduram introduced the variety - taken a few years to establish but so worth waiting for. The one shortcoming is the apples are generally quite large and just a little too much for a serving but there's no harm in sharing! Contrary to the name the apple doesn't have the rough associated 'russet' skin. If you haven't tried this gem of an apple make sure you do - it's a 'wow'!
    • 03 Jul 2013  SURREY, United Kingdom
      I bought some of these apples from Unicorn Grocery in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester a couple of years ago. Not sure if it was just that batch or if they are generally that good but they were exceptional. An apple that I would like to see more widely available. I've seen the trees occasionally in orchards belonging to National Trust properties but I think that commercial growers steer away from it because it is not so well known.

    Tree register

    United States

    United Kingdom

    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2013 season

    • 15th May  2013  - tree owned by Jean in Martock, United Kingdom

    2009 season

    • May  2009  - tree owned by Andrea in Maldon, United Kingdom

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


    Harvest records for this variety

    2009 season

    • 1st week October  2009  - tree owned by Andrea in Maldon, United Kingdom

    Origins

    • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
    • Originates from: United Kingdom
    • Introduced: 1830s
    • UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1973-143

    Identification

    • Awards: RHS AGM (current)
    • Country of origin: United Kingdom
    • Period of origin: 1800 - 1849
    • Fruit colour: Russet
    • Flower colour: Pink - dark
    • Leaf colour: Green
    • Popularity: Rarely grown
    • Annual cycle: Deciduous

    Using

    • Picking season: Late
    • Keeping (of fruit): 3 months or more
    • Flavour quality: Very good
    • Flavour style (apples): Sweeter
    • Cropping: Good
    • Food uses: Eating fresh
    • Food uses: Juice
    • Picking period: early October
    • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

    Growing

    • Gardening skill: Beginner
    • Flowering group: 3
    • Pollinating others: Average
    • Ploidy: Diploid
    • Vigour: Average vigour
    • Bearing regularity: Regular
    • Growth habit: Upright
    • Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
    • Organic culture: Suitable
    • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

    Climate

    • Climate suitability: Temperate climates
    • Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
    • Cold hardiness (RHS): H6 (to -20C)

    Other qualities

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

    Where to buy trees

    The following tree nurseries offer Rosemary Russet apple trees for sale:


    Where to buy fresh fruit

    The following orchards grow Rosemary Russet:

    United Kingdom




    References

    • Apples of England (1948)
      Author: Taylor

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