Laxton's Fortune apple

Laxton's Fortune identification photos

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  Copyright: Orange Pippin
  
  
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  Copyright: Zed Zapasnik
  
  

Visitor reviews

• 16 Sep 2017  Melanie Fuller,  HARROGATE, 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 Parkes,  CUMBRIA, 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 Lover,  LONDON, 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 Hansen,  United States

  I am getting ready to graft this variety on a tree that I am changing it's varieties.
• 23 Sep 2010  Nigel Evans,  OXFORD, 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 Pearston,  OUTSIDE 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 Gaul,  WEST 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 Williams,  NORFOLK, 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 Neal,  SOMERSET, 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 Cox,  POOLE 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?

Tree register

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United States

• Dave Beamer in Santa Barbara, CALIFORNIA
• Peter in Croom, MD

United Kingdom

• Adam Norman in Tadcaster, ENGLAND
• Allison Kirby in Plymouth, DEVON
• Bob Hickman in Halesowen, WEST MIDLANDS
• Celia Cropper in Manchester, LANCASHIRE
• Clare Burrows in Bodorgan, ANGLESEY
• David in Hereford, 
• Dougas Wilson in Perth, 
• Hamish Ross in Ely, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
• Helen Parker in Southampton, HANTS
• Jean Lippett in Martock, SOMERSET
• John Meager in Reading, BERKSHIRE
• Mariska Van Loenen in Aberdeen, ABERDEENSHIRE
• Martin Timms in Baldock, HERTFORDSHIRE
• Melanie Fuller in Harrogate, NORTH YORKSHIRE
• Mr m Buckler in MATLOCK, DERBYSHIRE
• Paul Freeborough in West Bridgford, NOTTINGHAM
• Paul Smith in Chatteris, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
• Pete High in Cumbria
• Phillip Orion in Eastington, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
• Richard Seed in Southampton, HAMPSHIRE
• Robert Edmonds in Muswell Hill, LONDON
• Steve Halliwell in Poole, DORSET
• Steve Webster in Truro, CORNWALL
• Tim Hucker in London, 
• Zed Zapasnik in Harrow, MIDDLESEX

Australia

• Stephen Boardman in Acton Park, TAS

New Zealand

• Giles in HAMILTON, WAIKATO

See also:

• Fortune - Shares the same name, but a different variety altogether.
• Fortune - An American variety, with the same name, but not related.

Where to buy fresh fruit

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