Apple (Malus) Blenheim Orange M26

A classic English heritage apple, first discovered growing against a wall in Woodstock, Oxfordshire in 1740, and named after nearby Blenheim Palace. A dual-purpose variety, prized both as a dessert apple and for cooking, and holder of the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Fruit is medium to large, with a yellowish-green skin flushed orange-red and streaked with russet. The flesh has a distinctive dry, nutty flavour — sharp when first picked, mellowing to a sweeter taste in storage. Excellent for eating from November onwards, and cooks down into a well-flavoured, textured purée, making it a favourite for pies and apple charlotte.

A vigorous grower and partial tip-bearer, this variety is a triploid and belongs to pollination group 3 — it will need two suitable pollinating partners nearby (ideally from groups 2, 3 or 4), as it cannot pollinate other apple trees itself. Prone to biennial bearing, so thin heavy crops to encourage regular cropping. Well suited to cooler, wetter climates, with good resistance to scab.

Grown on semi-dwarfing M26 rootstock, reaching approximately 2.5–3m in height and spread at maturity — a good choice for smaller gardens as a bush tree. Picked from late September, with dessert fruit best left until October/November to develop full sweetness.

Supplied as a healthy, well-rooted tree, ready to establish in its new home. A true heritage variety with a rich history and outstanding flavour.