Laxton's Fortune apple

Laxton's Fortune identification images

USDA identification images for Laxton's Fortune

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

• 28 Aug 2021  Ignaz GyulaiMARYLAND, United States

  Have grown LF for about 10 years now (on a Geneva 30, semi-dwarf rootstock) and the tree has cropped the last 5 or so. A bit whippy, definitely little resistance to Fireblight, Scab or Cedar-Apple rust, but it survives anyway. Apples are modest sized, sweet, slightly aromatic, nicely flavored but with a bit of a chewy texture as grown in Maryland (much hotter than Britain).
• 16 Sep 2017  Melanie FullerHARROGATE, United Kingdom

  We have a Laxton's Fortune in our garden in Harrogate. It has fruited really well this year. We had it identified last year by RHS Harlow Carr who were offering a free apple identification day. Delicious juicy red apples with red flashes inside.
• 31 Aug 2017  Ken ParkesCUMBRIA, United Kingdom

  I planted two as cordons three years ago. One has succumbed to canker this year, the other has collapsed under its fruit load. I removed all but four apples and we have been eating them for three weeks now, they seem to be happy in a cool kitchen. The stock is M106 and I intend to replant in out orchard this winter and grow as a tree. Best flavour we have after a shy Ashmead's Kernel
• 13 Oct 2012  Apple LoverLONDON, United Kingdom

  I've got a 3 year old Laxton's Fortune tree. I love the apples. True they don't keep, but they are so sweet, aromatic and juicy. Mine look spectacular too, deep scarlet.
• 29 Feb 2012  Kerry HansenUnited States

  I am getting ready to graft this variety on a tree that I am changing it's varieties.
• 23 Sep 2010  Nigel EvansOXFORD, United Kingdom

  The earlier comments say it all: Fortune is the best tasting of all dessert varieties, and it is commercially a non-starter because it bruises so easily. But if you have a tree, or know of an orchard, then now (late Sep) is the time to get busy. Boxford Farms (Suffolk) used to grow them in substantial quantities, but I expect they may have been grubbed in favour of something saleable.
• 26 Oct 2009  Sheila PearstonOUTSIDE WOBURN, BEDFORDSHIRE, United Kingdom

  My neighbour has an apple that could be a Laxton Fortune but I have never eaten that particular apple to be able to comment. The tree was mature when I moved in 23 years ago so it is obviously an old variety. This apple is red with yellowish / green streaks travelling from top to bottom. The flesh is soft and an almost yellow colour; the flavour is just devine - it has be likened to strawberries but I cannot see the connection. The flesh is not red but it has red "flashes". When I first ate one I thought my gums were bleeding. I would dearly love to purchase one of these trees so if anyone knows of a grower in the UK that sells them I would appreciate it. Failing the purchase of a tree I will try to graft a cutting onto existing apple stock but this is not my ideal solution. S E Pearston
• 23 Sep 2009  Andrea GaulWEST MELTON CANTERBURY, New Zealand

  There is a number of small heritage fruit tree nurseries near Christchurch in NZ. We got a Laxtons Fortune apple along with russets and other heritage fruits. Plus Oh Joy - a Damson that I haven't seen since I left Dorset in 1984. The orchard is only 3 years old so I can't wait for the little trees to grow big enough to start producing.
• 22 Sep 2009  C WilliamsNORFOLK, United Kingdom

  We inherited a Laxton's Fortune with a house we bought in Bedfordshire in 1978. It was still going strong when we moved away in 2005. The apples were identified for us by a wholesale greengrocer relation as 'Laxton's Fortune by a Bedfordshire grower'. It can sometimes be found on sale as an organic fruit. Lovely crispy, juicy apple, it tended to bruise as it was being eaten - even straight from the tree - and it was always a race to harvest the ripe fruit before the starlings found them! We're now in the process of sourcing a dwarf variety for our Norfolk garden.
• 17 Aug 2009  Steve NealSOMERSET, United Kingdom

  I remember eating a Laxton Fortune in 1975, grown by Pank of Sussex, I believe. Best apple I've ever tasted. Does anyone know if the orchard still exists?
• 23 Jul 2009  Mrs Dorothy J CoxPOOLE DORSET UK, United Kingdom

  I used to work with Fortunes and they are my favourites next to Beauty of Bath, but can never find either of them in the shops. Do you know where I can get any in the Poole district?

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• United States2
• United Kingdom25
• Australia1
• New Zealand1

Where to buy fresh fruit

The following orchards grow Laxton's Fortune:

United Kingdom

• England - midlands

  • Meynell Langley Trials Gardens, Derby
  • Walsgrove Farm, Worcester

• England - north

  • Lockwood Hey Orchard, Saddleworth

• England - south-east

  • Lavenham Brook Vineyard and Orchard, Sudbury
  • Home Cottage Farm, Iver
  • Crapes Fruit Farm, Colchester
  • Kimpton Manor Apple Press, Andover
  • Holton Orchards, Halesworth

• England - south-west

  • Charlton Orchards, Taunton

Canada

• British Columbia

  • Apple Lane Orchards, Denman Island
  • Salt Spring Apple Company, Salt Spring Island

References

• Apples of England (1948)
  Author: Taylor
• Fruit Expert
  Author: Hessayon