Apple Day has proven itself to be an increasingly popular event. What started on 21st October 1990 as an attempt to spread environmental awareness and a celebration of autumn as a whole, has quickly grown in popularity.
Apples have always been regarded as special – whether for their tempting of Eve or their properties of keeping the doctor away.
Apple orchards and their bounty have been protected from scrumping for centuries by threats of the Bogeyman and protected from blight by regular blessings.
Deep, in the darkest months of the year the wassail tradition, coming from the Anglo Saxon “waes-hael” meaning good health, took place over the 12 days of Christmas or at New Year. The tradition continues in certain areas of southern England, where bread and wine are offered to the trees, and loud music played and songs sung to drive away evil spirits and ensure a good harvest later in the year.
From eating to cooking apples – and one inbetween!
Introducing Greensleeves, a new extremely heavy cropping apple tree that’s dual-purpose – an eater that cooks well. A cross between James Grieve and Golden Delicious, Greensleeves is one of those happy accidents that combines the best qualities of both while avoiding all their faults. An RHS Award of Garden Merit winner, it has good resistance to the usual diseases and is also an excellent pollinator – not self-fertile, but easily pollinated by any other apples nearby. It will reach a height of approx 3m.
Cooking apples include the famous Bramley and we also have a variety called Bountiful, which is an easy-to-grow variety that keeps its shape when cooked and is sweeter than the majority of other cookers.
If you prefer something a little sweeter, why not try our eating apples?
The variety Lord Lambourne was once assessed by ‘Gardening from Which?’ as the best all-round British garden apple.
Worcester Pearmain is an early-season variety with bright red fruit with sweet white flesh. Excellent in colder areas.
Braeburn is one of the best-selling apple varieties in Britain and can now be grown very successfully in UK gardens thanks to the Braeburn (Clone Helena) variety.
Fiesta has a traditional sweet/sharp flavour and it great for juicing.
And finally, the Nation’s favourite and Award of Garden Merit winner Queen Cox Self Fertile, which will set great fruits without a pollinator. Its fruit is juicy and sweet with a typical mellow ‘Cox’ taste, it has d Deep red flush and is an excellent keeper. RHS
How about Crab Apples?
Crab apples are high in pectin, so you can use the fruit to make crab apple jelly. Or simply enjoy their good looks and leave the fruit for the birds to enjoy!
Why not grow a tree? Available from just £12.99!
Why not grow a tree (or two) and carry on this lovely tradition? Apple Greensleeves is currently just £12.99 and other Bare Root Fruit Trees are (at time of publication) just £17.50 when you buy any two or more trees that are included in the offer! However, if this offer has expired do check out our offers page for current deals!
We hope that we’ve inspired you to plant a tree – to help both nature and the environment – no matter what the size of your garden. Click here to see our full range of fruit trees.
Last Updated on December 22, 2023 by Suttons Horticultural Team
