Laxton's Fortune apple

Laxton's Fortune apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

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 States4
• United Kingdom25
• Australia1
• New Zealand1

Where to buy trees

The following tree nurseries offer Laxton's Fortune apple trees for sale:

• Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
  Laxton's Fortune apple trees

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