An old English summer apple, dating back to the 1780s, but re-introduced in 1868 by Mr Jackson of Blakedown Nursery as Jackson's Seedling. Renamed Gladstone in 1883.
Gladstone apple identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Gladstone
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.
Offspring of this variety
Visitor reviews
- 05 Aug 2020 CARMARTHENSHIRE, United KingdomDelightfully early, sweet and pretty. First week of August here in Wales. Our gardener says "eat it within the first half hour of picking". A little floury to some people's taste.
- 15 Oct 2016 MEATH, IrelandTend to go floury, but the apple grows on you. Excellent, aromatic taste develops in your mouth.
Tree register
United States
- Jo Elsmore in BLOORS,
- Velvie Mckenzie in Jackson, OH
United Kingdom
- Clifford Darby in Griffydam, LEICS
- Nigel in CAMBRIDGE, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
- Ron Bell in MELROSE, SCOTLAND
- Sue Grayson Ford in Enfield,
- Will Davenport in Crowborough, EAST SUSSEX
Ireland
- Lars Christoffersen in Trim, MEATH
- Lars Christoffersen in TRIM,
Harvest records for this variety
2016 season
- August 2016 - tree owned by Lars in Trim, Ireland
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Parentage: Unknown
- Originates from: Kidderminster, Worcestershire, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1780
- Developed by: Mr Jackson of Blakedown Nursery
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 2000-036
- 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: 1750 - 1799
- Fruit colour: Red
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
Using
- Picking season: Very early
- Keeping (of fruit): 1-3 days
- Flavour quality: Good
- Flavour style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
- Cropping: Heavy
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Picking period: early August
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 4
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Slightly large
- Precocity: Precocious
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Fruit bearing: Partial tip-bearer
- Organic culture: Suitable
- Self-fertility: Partially self-fertile
Climate
- Frost resistance of blossom: Some resistance
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Good
- Canker: Very resistant
- Scab (Apple and Pear): Very resistant
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Gladstone:
United Kingdom
England - midlands
- Cotteridge Community Orchard, Birmingham
References
- Apples of England (1948)
Author: Taylor