Apple (Malus) Scotch Dumpling MM106

Introduced from Scotland, 'Scotch Dumpling' is a striking early cooking apple, instantly recognisable in spring for its dark pink blossom. Grafted onto the semi-dwarfing MM106 rootstock, it makes a robust tree reaching up to around 4m in height and spread, suited to larger gardens.

Dark pink blossom appears in spring, followed by large, mid-green fruit flushed with orange. The creamy white, acidic flesh cooks down to a well-flavoured, frothy purée — perfect for a tangy apple sauce. Harvest from mid-August, one of the earliest cooking apples of the season, though it's best enjoyed fresh, as it only keeps for a few weeks.

'Scotch Dumpling' is not self-fertile, so a pollination partner is essential — choose a variety in the same period (Group 1 or 2, depending on source) or an adjacent group. MM106 tolerates a wide range of soils and generally doesn't need permanent staking once established, though it takes a little longer to come into fruit than more dwarfing rootstocks — usually 4–5 years, with the best yields from year five.

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.