Apple (Malus) TICKLED PINK Baya® Marisa M26

Bred in Germany and introduced to the UK by Frank P Matthews in 2011, 'Tickled Pink' (sold botanically as 'Baya Marisa') is a genuinely eye-catching dual-purpose apple — dark red, speckled skin concealing striking reddish-pink flesh that holds its colour beautifully whether eaten fresh, cooked, or juiced. 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 wall-training as a fan or espalier.

Deep pink blossom, set off nicely against purple-red new foliage, appears in April and May, followed by crisp, mildly aromatic fruit with a good balance of sharp and sweet. Harvest from September, with the fruit keeping for a couple of weeks — long enough to enjoy fresh, cooked into a colourful crumble, or pressed into a striking pink juice.

'Tickled Pink' is self-sterile, so a pollination partner is essential — choose a variety in the same period (Group 3) or an adjacent group (2 or 4), such as 'Discovery', 'Katy', or 'Granny Smith'. It has good disease resistance, including some tolerance to scab. 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.