Chestnut (Castanea) Marhlac 12L

Marlhac is a vigorous French hybrid sweet chestnut, bred by crossing a European chestnut with a Japanese chestnut to combine heavy cropping with excellent disease resistance. In September and October it produces generous crops of large, glossy, mahogany-brown nuts with sweet, floury flesh. They peel easily and store well, so they're ideal for roasting, stuffings, soups and festive baking. Its early summer catkins are rich in nectar and a favourite with bees. It also has good resistance to ink disease and leaf rust, two of the chestnut's most common problems.

Marlhac grows into a strong, well-branched, handsome tree, best suited to larger gardens, paddocks and smallholdings, and typically begins cropping four to five years after grafting. Plant in full sun in deep, well-drained soil. Chestnuts dislike chalky ground and thrive on the neutral to acidic soils found across much of the South West. For reliable crops, plant with a different chestnut variety nearby for cross-pollination. Maraval makes an ideal partner. Choose a sheltered spot away from frost pockets. Fully hardy once established. The nut husks are covered in sharp spines, so wear gloves when gathering the crop.

Supplied in a 12-litre pot.

Each tree is hand-selected before dispatch.

Available from Pengelly Garden Centre.