This is a red sport (mutation) of Alkmene, and noticeably redder and less Cox-like in appearance than Alkmene, although the characteristic Cox russet striping can be faintly discerned. It is grown commercially on a small-scale in the UK.
Alkmene is sometimes known as Early Windsor, hence the name of this redder sport, Red Windsor. However to further confuse matters, the marketing organisation behind this variety organised a UK-wide schools competition to come up with a new name - and "Sweet Lilibet" was chosen. This is therefore the name you are most likely to see it under in supermarkets, where it appears towards the end of September.
Red Windsor apple identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Red Windsor
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.
Sport
This variety is a sport (natural genetic mutation) of: Alkmene
Parents and other ancestors of this variety
- Cox's Orange Pippin (parent)
- Duchess of Oldenburg (parent)
Visitor reviews
- 04 Oct 2017 UK, United KingdomPlanted tree three years ago in small London garden and delighted with it; delicious apple, clean & abundant fruits, nice to eat straight off tree or stew, and I bet would also make excellent pies and juice. Very pretty in blossom and in fruit so a decorative as well as useful tree. Recommended/supplied by Keepers Nursery UK - a really good call!
- 30 Aug 2014 WEST YORKSHIRE, United Kingdomreally nice apple crisp,juicy, less aromatic than a cox orange abit more acidic more juicy yummy makes really nice juice too
- 23 Mar 2011 LONDON, United KingdomI picked some up at my local farmers market - best apple I've eaten in years. Really made me realise what I was missing at the supermarket.
- 06 Oct 2010 United KingdomA very refreshing, clean-tasting and tangy apple; aspects of the cox apple in there but far more refreshing and less dense.
- 15 Oct 2008 RUNCORN, CHESHIRE, United KingdomI have a preference for English apples, in particular Russet and Cox varieties so the Red Windsor is a welcome addition Purchased from local Asda but like most English varieties. suspect it will only have a short season
- 04 Oct 2008 LOUTH, LINCOLNSHIRE, United KingdomI planted this dwarf tree in a large pot in April 2008, and have just picked my first crop of 20 apples from it in mid October. I first took a sample test of it in September, but it was very sharp then and obviously not ripe then. I find the fruit very firm, very refreshing (although still a little sharp for my sweet-tooth), and very juicy. Constant rains this year may have induced it to bear quite large fruits, but it was also watered well throughtout the whole period too. I hope to locate a sweeter apple for the future, but can use these as an all purpose baking apple for both Tarte-Tatin or apple pie.
- 01 Oct 2008 CHICHESTER,WEST SUSSEX. U.K., United KingdomCould easily pass as a Cox. Nearest thing yet I think.Slightly sharper.Excellent apple.Purchased October in Waitrose,grown in Kent. I will try to get a tree for my new orchard.
Tree register
United States
- Jo Elsmore in BLOORS,
United Kingdom
- Alan Elsbury in Chippenham, WILTSHIRE
- Alastair Robinson in Maidstone, KENT
- Ben Alofs in Bangor, GWYNEDD
- Billy Auger in Hopton Wafers, SHROPSHIRE
- Billy Auger in HOPTON WAFERS, SHROPSHIRE
- Chris in Caerphilly, MID GLAMORGAN
- Chris in Okehampton, DEVON
- Colin Anderson in Wakefield, WEST YORKSHIRE
- Danny Apps in Lochore, FIFE
- Emmagx in Bristol,
- Euan Cameron in LARBERT,
- Fabien Guilmineau in Marlow, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
- Geoff Jones in TRURO, CORNWALL
- Gilly in Monmouth, MONMOUTHSHIRE
- Hany Canter in London,
- Ian Dimery in Ripon, NORTH YORKSHIRE
- Irina Pertsel in DURHAM, COUNTY DURHAM
- Ivor Kiverstein in Pulborough, WEST SUSSEX
- James in Melbourne, DERBYSHIRE
- Jayne Sweeney in Crieff, PERTHSHIRE
- Jayne Sweeney in Crieff, PERTHSHIRE
- Jean Lippett in Martock, SOMERSET
- Jean Lippett in Martock, SOMERSET
- Jenny in Llanfairfechan, CONWY
- John Denton in Lavenham, SUFFOLK
- Kate Walbyoff in Hurstbourne Tarrant, HANTS
- Kerry Roberts in Wivenhoe, ESSEX
- M Shipman in Northampton, NORTHANTS
- Mark in Chippenham, WILTS
- Mark in Chippenham, WILTS
- Mark in Chippenham, WILTS
- Mark in Chippenham, WILTS
- Mark in Chippenham, WILTS
- Mark in Chippenham, WILTS
- Mark in Chippenham, WILTS
- Mark in Chippenham, WILTS
- Mike Clegg in LANCING, SUSSEX
- Mr Graeme M Fraser in Penicuik, MIDLOTHIAN
- Nick Butcher in North Curry, SOMERSET
- Paul Gaffikin in Ashford, KENT
- Paul Knight in Eastleigh, HAMPSHIRE
- Phil in Stoke-On-Trent, STAFFS
- Philip Hua in Leeds, WEST YORKSHIRE
- Saffron Nicholson in Freuchie, FIFE
- Stephen Sansome in BELFAST,
- Tegan in TAUNTON, SOMERSET
- Tim in Melksham, WILTSHIRE
- Tim Hughes in Wisley, SURREY
- Victoria Birkett in Aberdeen, SCOTLAND
Finland
- Alexis in Lemland, ÅLAND ISLANDS
France
- Jeff Soens in PORT D'ENVAUX, FRANCE
- Richard Borrie in Objat,
Ireland
- Eddy Lynch in Cork, CORK
Switzerland
- David Milson in Leysin, VAUD
Spring blossom records for this variety
2014 season
- 6th May 2014 - tree owned by Danny in Lochore, United Kingdom
- 16th April 2014 - tree owned by M in Northampton, United Kingdom
2013 season
- 15th May 2013 - tree owned by Jean in Martock, United Kingdom
- 11th May 2013 - tree owned by Paul in Ashford, United Kingdom
- 11th May 2013 - tree owned by Paul in Ashford, United Kingdom
- 8th May 2013 - tree owned by Jean in Martock, United Kingdom
- 4th May 2013 - tree owned by M in Northampton, United Kingdom
- May 2013 - tree owned by Jayne in Crieff, United Kingdom
- May 2013 - tree owned by Jayne in Crieff, United Kingdom
2012 season
- 24th April 2012 - tree owned by M in Northampton, United Kingdom
- 23rd April 2012 - tree owned by Paul in Ashford, United Kingdom
- April 2012 - tree owned by Mark in Chippenham, United Kingdom
2011 season
- 12th April 2011 - tree owned by James in Melbourne, United Kingdom
- 9th April 2011 - tree owned by M in Northampton, United Kingdom
2010 season
- July 2010 - tree owned by John in Lavenham, United Kingdom
2009 season
- July 2009 - tree owned by John in Lavenham, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
2024 season
- 3rd week August 2024 - tree owned by Richard in Objat, France
2013 season
- 3rd week September 2013 - tree owned by M in Northampton, United Kingdom
2011 season
- August 2011 - tree owned by Gilly in Monmouth, United Kingdom
2010 season
- September 2010 - tree owned by John in Lavenham, United Kingdom
2009 season
- 1st week September 2009 - tree owned by John in Lavenham, United Kingdom
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Parentage: Sport of Alkmene
- Originates from: United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1985
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 2000-115
Identification
- Awards: RHS AGM (current)
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Period of origin: 1950 - 1999
- Fruit colour: Red
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Popularity: Best sellers
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
- Alleles: 5
- Alleles: 22
Using
- Picking season: Mid
- Keeping (of fruit): 1 week
- Flavour quality: Good
- Flavour style (apples): Aromatic
- Discoloration of fruit: Oxidising
- Cropping: Heavy
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Picking period: mid-September
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 2
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Organic culture: Suitable
- Self-fertility: Self-fertile
Climate
- Frost resistance of blossom: Susceptible
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Cold hardiness (RHS): H6 (to -20C)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cold (< 20C / 67F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Good
- Scab (Apple and Pear): Very resistant
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Red Windsor apple trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Red Windsor apple trees - Thomas Fruit Trees (EU) France
Red Windsor apple trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Red Windsor:
United Kingdom
England - midlands
- Meynell Langley Trials Gardens, Derby
- Cotteridge Community Orchard, Birmingham