Apple (Malus) Herefordshire Russet® Cordon M9

A modern russet with an excellent Cox-like flavour, 'Herefordshire Russet' is bred from 'Cox' and 'Golden Delicious' (or 'Idared', depending on source) and has quickly become a favourite for anyone who loves that classic nutty, aromatic taste. Trained as a cordon on the dwarfing M9 rootstock, it's grown as a single stem at a 45-degree angle, making it an excellent way to fit several different apple varieties into a small space — ideal for anyone short on room who still wants a proper mixed harvest.

Pale pink blossom appears in May, followed by golden, extensively russeted fruit with crisp, juicy cream flesh and a rich, sweet, nutty flavour. Harvest in October, with the fruit storing well through to Christmas or into January.

'Herefordshire Russet' is partially self-fertile and will produce a decent crop alone, though it fruits best with a pollination partner in the same period (Group 3) or an adjacent group (2 or 4) — worth bearing in mind if you're planting a single cordon rather than a mixed row. Cordons are typically spaced around 75cm–1m apart, trained against a wire support system, and need summer pruning to keep their narrow, productive shape. On M9, trees will need permanent staking or wire support throughout their life, but reward you with an early, compact cropper well suited to intensive planting.

Plant in full sun in moist, well-drained soil. As with all apple varieties, the pips contain small amounts of naturally occurring toxins, so they're best removed if the fruit is being used for cooking with children in mind.

Each tree is hand-selected before dispatch. Available from Pengelly Garden Centre.