Orange Pippin logo
All about apples, pears, plums, and cherries - and orchards where they are grown

Red Windsor® apple

/ 1 see reviews
Red Windsor

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.

  • Red Windsor
  • Red Windsor

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


    Visitor reviews

    • 04 Oct 2017  UK, United Kingdom
      Planted 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 Kingdom
      really 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 Kingdom
      I 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 Kingdom
      A 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 Kingdom
      I 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 Kingdom
      I 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 Kingdom
      Could 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 Kingdom

    France

    Ireland

    Switzerland

    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

    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:


    Where to buy fresh fruit

    The following orchards grow Red Windsor:

    United Kingdom




    Varieties you viewed