A small early-season English apple, popular in late Victorian times.
USDA identification images for Miller's Seedling
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
- 23 Jan 2025We have a mature tree identified as millers seedling in our garden in haddenham cambridgeshire. I'm surprized to see your description here is that they are small - we can get some quite large apples - like a small bramley, perhaps 12-14cm diameter. They are incredibly juicy and the flavor is absolutely delicious, quite sweet but also refreshingly tart and very fragrant. The flesh is crisp yet very light when fresh, but can soften after picking and they don't keep well. They go waxy very quickly. Colours start a pale brightish green and mature to yellow with some red blush (between a few stripes and half covered). A really lovely surprising apple. Also gives a lovely flavour and surprisingly firm texture when cooked. I would score excellent if they kept better. Hope this has helped.
- 31 Aug 2015 CORNWALL, United KingdomNot single aapple on very well established espalier seen on 31/08/2015 at the RHS Rosemoor Gardens, Torrington, Devon. Gardener told me that it has gone totally biennial. A very bad fault in my opinion!
Tree register
United Kingdom
- Billy Auger in Hopton Wafers, SHROPSHIRE
- Lawrence Wilson in Mayfield, EAST SUSSEX
- Ron Bell in MELROSE, SCOTLAND
- Tony in Glasgow, SCOTLAND
Spring blossom records for this variety
2014 season
- 1st May 2014 - tree owned by Lawrence in Mayfield, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Parentage: Unknown seedling
- Originates from: Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1848
- Developed by: Mr James Miller
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1979-177
Identification
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Period of origin: 1800 - 1849
- Fruit colour: Pink
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
Using
- Picking season: Early
- Keeping (of fruit): 1 week
- Flavour quality: Good
- Flavour style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
- Cropping: Heavy
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Food uses: Juice
- Picking period: late August
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Experienced
- Flowering group: 3
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Bearing regularity: Biennial tendency
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Self-fertility: Partially self-fertile
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Average
Where to buy fresh fruit
No orchards have registered as growing this variety. If you grow this and want to register please go to our Orchard Registration form.
References
- Apples of England (1948)
Author: Taylor