Apple (Malus) Red Falstaff® M26

A red sport of the popular 'Falstaff' and holder of the RHS Award of Garden Merit, 'Red Falstaff' has become even more sought-after than its parent thanks to its richer, deeper colouring. Grafted onto the semi-dwarfing M26 rootstock, it makes a compact, manageable tree reaching around 3m in height and spread, ideal for the average garden or even a large patio container.

Pink blossom, with good frost resistance, appears in spring, followed by fruit with orange-red flushed skin over crisp, green-fleshed flesh. The flavour is well-balanced, fruity, crisp, and juicy, with plenty of scrunchy bite — equally good for eating fresh or juicing. Harvest from October, with the fruit storing for one to two months.

'Red Falstaff' is self-fertile, so it will crop well alone, though it fruits even better with a pollination partner in the same period (Group 2 or 3, depending on source) or an adjacent group. It has a slightly weeping habit and is particularly well suited to colder, northern and eastern parts of the country, though it can be susceptible to scab in more humid areas. M26 typically needs staking for the first few years while the root system establishes, and trees usually begin cropping within a year or two.

Plant in full sun in moist, well-drained soil, and prune each winter to maintain an open, productive shape. 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.