This apple can be picked in mid-September but will happily stay on the tree into October so you can eat it fresh from the tree for at least a month. This, along with its good cropping, make it a really excellent variety to grow in the garden.
In theory Greensleeves marries the sweet flavour of its Golden Delicious parent balanced by the acidity of its other parent, James Grieve. It can be hard and sharp early in the season but mellows later, but it never quite achieves what the parentage suggests it should.
As the photo shows, Greensleeves is actually a lovely golden yellow colour if you leave it on the tree into October.
Greensleeves apple identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Greensleeves
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Parents and other ancestors of this variety
- Golden Delicious (parent)
- James Grieve (parent)
See also
- Redsleeves - Redsleeves and Greensleeves were both developed at East Malling Research station (although not related).
Visitor reviews
- 25 Sep 2015 HEREFORDSHIRE, United KingdomGrew this as a " step over". Magnificent in blossom and excellent fruit set, requiring heavy thinning in June/July. Many fruits split in July ( possible consequence of dry months followed by heavy rain, although other varieties nearby have not split). Many of fruits have blemished skins. Still not really ripe last week in September. Rather disappointed by performance of this variety so far, especially as this county is one of best in UK for growing apples.
- 03 Oct 2010 OXON, United KingdomI was looking to buy a new eating apple for the garden and tasted several varieties at the garden centre. I would not have thought of this variety but one taste and I was hooked! A lovely firm apple that is sweet but with a hint of sharpness. I await the fruit from my own tree with eager anticipation.
- 12 Oct 2008 LERRYN,LOSTWITHIEL,CORNWALL, United KingdomToday 12/10/08 my two boys Matthew and Jack (8 and 4) tasted three varieties in Jacks Orchard (i Planted 34 trees in 2003 to mark Jacks birth ) Discovery, Ashmeads Kernal and Greensleeves and we all voted this apple the best - Sweet juicy and crisp- a real winner. The boys take a real interest in their apples and are lovely to watch tasting - some got spat out as too sour but this was a real winner for them. hope this is of use to you if you have children.
- 30 Sep 2008 LONDON, United KingdomA friend gives me several pounds of Greensleeves each year from his garden, and I find they go golden beutifully in the fruit bowl. To my taste they fully live up to their parentage, in texture, juice and flavour, provided you find mellow varieties satisfying. It isn't sensational, but it is luscious, exceptionally pleasant and has most of what's missing from Golden Delicious. It's hardly worth bothering to take the small core out, as there's nothing woody there.
Tree register
United States
- Dan Spratlen in Camano Island, WASHINGTON
- Dana Berg in Bainbridge Island, WASHINGTON
- Glenn Grossman in Vancouver, WASHINGTON
- Jessica Klein in Maple Valley, WASHINGTON
United Kingdom
- Alan Mills in Kilmarnock, AYRSHIRE
- Alison Williams in Mansfield, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
- Andrew Collins in NEWMACHAR, ABERDEENSHIRE
- Andrew Guille in St Saviour, GUERNSEY
- Anja Britton in NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
- Anna Tighe in Witney, OXFORDSHIRE
- Anthony Payne in Bath,
- Bluemarlin in Burnley, LANCASHIRE
- Clifford Darby in Griffydam, LEICS
- Colin Bowen in London,
- Dave Hoare in HADDENHAM, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
- Dave Woolcock in Preston, LANCASHIRE
- David Scholes in Saddleworth,
- Dmnc in CHICHESTER, WEST SUSSEX
- Dougas Wilson in Perth,
- Elizabeth Hodge in Evesham, WORCESTERSHIRE
- Graham Hinchliffe in Eastbourne, EAST SUSSEX
- Hans Butler in Loughborough, LEIESTERSHIRE
- Henryc in Andover, HAMPSHIRE
- Ian Hindley in WARMINGTON, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
- Janet Brown in Carnoustie, ANGUS
- John Halliday in Congleton, CHESHIRE
- John Mullen in Kilmarnock, AYRSHIRE
- Jon in Brigg, LINCOLNSHIRE
- Kirsten Edwards in WAKEFIELD, COUNTY
- l Griffiths in Littleport, CAMRIDGESHIRE
- Mark Beverley in Berwick Bassett, WILTSHIRE
- Mark Davies in Saddleworth, YORKSHIRE
- Mike Silver in Taunton, SOMERSET
- Neil Smith in KIPPEN, STIRLING
- Paul Harper-Scott in Oxford, OXFORDSHIRE
- Paul Mckean in Southport, MERSEYSIDE
- Peter.Roberts1949@Gmail.Com in Alfreton, DERBYSHIRE
- Robert Barnes in South Norwood, LONDON
- Sarah Bronzite in Aberdeen, -
- Sarah Coyle in Kingswinford, WEST MIDLANDS
- Simon Peter William Carson in Richhill, ARMAGH
- Simon Wilkins in Bradford, WEST YORKSHIRE
- Steve in Steeple Claydon, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
- Stuart Logan in Newbury, BERKSHIRE
- Tony Cuthbert in Wolverhampton, WEST MIDLANDS
- Vincent Bentley in Montgomery, POWYS
- Wayne Seagate in Kings Lynn, NORFOLK
Ireland
- James A Nolan in Glynn,, WEXFORD.
Spring blossom records for this variety
2022 season
- 25th April 2022 - tree owned by James in Glynn,, Ireland
2018 season
- 26th April 2018 - tree owned by Paul in Southport, United Kingdom
2016 season
- 11th May 2016 - tree owned by Andrew in St Saviour, United Kingdom
- 7th May 2016 - tree owned by Paul in Southport, United Kingdom
2015 season
- 4th May 2015 - tree owned by Jon in Brigg, United Kingdom
- 4th May 2015 - tree owned by Paul in Southport, United Kingdom
- 1st May 2015 - tree owned by Andrew in St Saviour, United Kingdom
2014 season
- 27th April 2014 - tree owned by Steve in Steeple Claydon, United Kingdom
- 25th April 2014 - tree owned by Andrew in St Saviour, United Kingdom
2013 season
- 21st May 2013 - tree owned by Andrew in St Saviour, United Kingdom
- 11th May 2013 - tree owned by Steve in Steeple Claydon, United Kingdom
- 11th May 2013 - tree owned by Paul in Southport, United Kingdom
2012 season
- 9th May 2012 - tree owned by Andrew in St Saviour, United Kingdom
2011 season
- 15th April 2011 - tree owned by Andrew in St Saviour, United Kingdom
2010 season
- 5th May 2010 - tree owned by Elizabeth in Evesham, United Kingdom
- 2nd May 2010 - tree owned by Stuart in Newbury, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
2015 season
- 1st week October 2015 - tree owned by Andrew in St Saviour, United Kingdom
- September 2015 - tree owned by Paul in Southport, United Kingdom
2014 season
- 1st week October 2014 - tree owned by Andrew in St Saviour, United Kingdom
- 2nd week September 2014 - tree owned by Paul in Southport, United Kingdom
2013 season
- October 2013 - tree owned by John in Congleton, United Kingdom
2012 season
- 4th week September 2012 - tree owned by Dan in Camano Island, United States
- 2nd week September 2012 - tree owned by Colin in London, United Kingdom
- 2nd week September 2012 - tree owned by Andrew in St Saviour, United Kingdom
2010 season
- 3rd week September 2010 - tree owned by Bluemarlin in Burnley, United Kingdom
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Parentage: Golden Delicious and James Grieve
- Originates from: Kent, England, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1966
- Developed by: East Malling Research Station
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1980-077
- Some historical details taken with kind permission from 'The New Book of Apples' by Joan Morgan and Alison Richards , illustrated by Elisabeth Dowle, published by Ebury Press, 2002.
Identification
- Awards: RHS AGM (current) 1993
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Period of origin: 1950 - 1999
- Fruit colour: Green
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Popularity: Best sellers
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
- Alleles: 2
- Alleles: 5
Using
- Picking season: Mid
- Keeping (of fruit): 1 week
- Flavour quality: Average
- Flavour style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
- Discoloration of fruit: Oxidising
- Cropping: Heavy
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Food uses: Juice
- Picking period: mid-September
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 2
- Pollinating others: Average
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Precocity: Precocious
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Organic culture: Suitable
- Attractive features: Attractive flowers
- Attractive features: Attractive fruit
- Self-fertility: Partially self-fertile
- Sunlight: Tolerates shade
- Sunlight: Prefers full sun
Climate
- Frost resistance of blossom: Good resistance
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Cold hardiness (RHS): H6 (to -20C)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cold (< 20C / 67F)
- Climate - UK region: Southern England, Midlands, Eastern England
- Climate - UK region: Northern England, East Scotland, North-East Scotland
- Climate - UK region: Devon, Cornwall, Wales, Cumbria, South-West Scotland
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Good
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Greensleeves apple trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Greensleeves apple trees - Cummins Nursery
United States More >>
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Greensleeves:
United States
Washington
- Skipley Farm, Snohomish *** Feature Orchard ***
United Kingdom
England - midlands
- Meynell Langley Trials Gardens, Derby
- Cotteridge Community Orchard, Birmingham
- Walsgrove Farm, Worcester
England - north
- Saddleworth Orchard, Saddleworth
England - south-east
- Kimpton Manor Apple Press, Andover
England - south-west
- Charlton Orchards, Taunton
Canada
British Columbia
- Salt Spring Apple Company, Salt Spring Island
Nova Scotia
- Vista Bella Farm Orchard and Apiary, Malagash
Ontario
- O'Keefe Grange, Dobbinton
References
- Fruit Expert
Author: Hessayon