Claygate Pearmain was discovered in the early 19th century growing near the village of Claygate in Surrey, by apple enthusiast John Braddick. It soon became a popular apple variety, widely-grown in English gardens.
The flesh is fairly soft, quite juicy, with a rich aromatic flavour. Claygate Pearmain keeps fairly well, the colour changing to yellow in storage.
Claygate Pearmain apple identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Claygate Pearmain
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.
See also
- Braddick's Nonpareil - Braddick's Nonpareil and Claygate Pearmain were both discovered by John Braddick.
Visitor reviews
- 13 Sep 2017 MI, United StatesDelicious apple. Quite tart right off the tree, somewhat like a Granny Smith, but more complex. Sweetens and intensifies in storage. Tree is resistant to scab and easy to grow. Wide crotch angles give it a nice shape without a lot of pruning. Susceptible to bitter pit. Apples tend to start dropping as they ripen. Here in Michigan it ripens about a week after MacIntosh.
- 28 May 2016 NEW MEXICO, United StatesMy Claygate Permain, purchased 7 years ago from Tooley's Trees in Truchas, New Mexico, has finally had a nice fruit set this year. I've thinned and bagged the apples and they look very healthy. We'll see how our turbulent summer weather treats them.
- 02 Nov 2015 MASSACHUSETTS, United StatesAfter a month in cold storage, the tropical fruit flavour develops into one of the most deliciously complex apples I've ever tasted. I would rank this in my top five desert varieties. A shame it is not widely grown in USA.
- 22 Jul 2014 SURREY, United KingdomA very superior apple. Flavour is incredibly complex if picked when ripe and stored for a week or two. There are definite pineapple notes on offer. So far, this is the best apple I have ever tasted.
- 11 Oct 2013 United StatesOne of my favourite late season apples
- 28 Dec 2010 CALIFORNIA / SONOMA, United StatesThe Claygate Pearmain is suitable to Pot, or Wine Barrel, application, according to The Martin Crawford "Directory of Apple Cultivars".
Tree register
United States
- Alison Gardner in Albion, CALIFORNIA
- Amanda Emily in Colville, STEVENS, WA
- Axel Kratel in Santa Cruz, CALIFORNIA
- Brian Pruiett in CARLSBORG, WA
- Dan Fitzpatrick in Paw Paw, DEKALB / IL
- Gina Colver in EPHRATA, WASHINGTON
- Jerry Hudgins in Point Reyes Station, CALIFORNIA
- Mike Haller in SIOUX CITY, IOWA
- Nathan Parker in Mount Shasta, CA
- Petervoshefski in Albququerque, NEW MEXICO
- Ricky Bruckner in RAVENNA, OHIO (OH)
- Thomas Griffith in Cottage Grove, WI
United Kingdom
- Carol in Lincoln, LINCS
- Chris Holmquist in Cardiff,
- deadbird in Epsom, EPSOM SURREY
- Jean Lippett in Martock, SOMERSET
- jonewer in Reigate, SURREY
- Kevinincornwall in Liskeard, UNITED KINGDOM
- Marian Lelliott in Ashtead, SURREY
- Nish Pfister in Chulmleigh, DEVON
- Peter Barnard in Doncaster, LINCOLNSHIRE
- Peter Mcgarry in
- Pip Al-Khafaji in Rye, EAST SUSSEX
- Rachel in
- Robert Waterhouse in Crediton, DEVON
- Thomas Bennell in Bristol,
Ireland
- Lars Christoffersen in TRIM,
Netherlands
- Cheuk A Lam in Amsterdam, NOORD-HOLLAND
New Zealand
- Giles in HAMILTON, WAIKATO
Spring blossom records for this variety
2020 season
- 19th April 2020 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2019 season
- 23rd April 2019 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2018 season
- 1st May 2018 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2014 season
- 15th April 2014 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
2013 season
- 22nd May 2013 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
- 17th May 2013 - tree owned by Jean in Martock, United Kingdom
2012 season
- 13th April 2012 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
2011 season
- 21st March 2011 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
2020 season
- 4th week August 2020 - tree owned by deadbird in Epsom, United Kingdom
2018 season
- 2nd week October 2018 - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
2016 season
- 2nd week October 2016 - tree owned by deadbird in Epsom, United Kingdom
2014 season
- September 2014 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
2013 season
- October 2013 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
2012 season
- October 2012 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
2011 season
- October 2011 - tree owned by Pip in Rye, United Kingdom
2010 season
- November 2010 - tree owned by Nish in Chulmleigh, United Kingdom
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Originates from: Surrey, England, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1820s
- Developed by: John Braddick
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1941-023
- We are grateful to Brogdale Farm - home of the UK National Fruit Collection - for providing samples of this variety.
Identification
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Period of origin: 1800 - 1849
- Fruit colour: Orange flush
- Flower colour: Pink - light
- Leaf colour: Green
- Popularity: Rarely grown
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
- Awards: RHS AGM (former)
Using
- Picking season: Very late
- Keeping (of fruit): 1-2 months
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Flavour style (apples): Aromatic
- Discoloration of fruit: Oxidising
- Cropping: Heavy
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Food uses: Juice
- Picking period: mid-October
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Average
- Flowering group: 4
- Pollinating others: Poor
- Ploidy: Triploid
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
Climate
- Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 4 (-34C)
- Climate suitability: Temperate 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
- Scab (Apple and Pear): Very resistant
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Claygate Pearmain apple trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA) United States
Claygate Pearmain apple trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Claygate Pearmain:
United States
Maine
- Tiny Orchards, Saco
Wisconsin
- Door Creek Orchard, Cottage Grove
United Kingdom
England - south-west
- Cutbrawn Farm, Lostwithiel
- Charlton Orchards, Taunton
Canada
British Columbia
- Salt Spring Apple Company, Salt Spring Island
Australia
Victoria
- Heritage Fruits Society, Fairfield
References
- Apples of England (1948)
Author: Taylor