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Herefordshire Russet apple

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Herefordshire Russet

Herefordshire Russet is a new English russet apple variety, developed by apple breeder Hugh Ermen.

When first released it was thought to be a cross between Cox and Idared, but genetic testing by the Frank P. Matthews nursery which Hugh Ermen worked with subsequently found it was Cox and Golden Delicious.  This makes it a close relative of Rubinette, another Cox x Golden Delicious cross.

Both Cox and Golden Delicious have a slight tendency to russeting, so it is perhaps not surprising that some of their offspring should exhibit this characteristic.

As you might expect from this combination, the flavor is extremely good.

Herefordshire Russet apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

  • Herefordshire Russet
  • Herefordshire Russet
  • Herefordshire Russet

USDA identification images for Herefordshire Russet

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


    See also


    Visitor reviews

    • 31 Aug 2016  EAST SUSSEX, United Kingdom
      I grafted a piece onto a Bramley and it is always full of fruit and grows very strongly,superb apples.
    • 15 Sep 2013  DERBYSHIRE, United Kingdom
      My tree is now 5 years old and is becoming a prolific cropper. The skin on these apples doesn't seep to be as tough as the Egremont Russet.
    • 19 Aug 2013  HERTS., United Kingdom
      Have grown this variety for 5 years on M9 and found it to be a very weak grower. Kidds Orange Red on M27 was previously on the same site and that proved to have ample vigour.
    • 16 Sep 2012  SURREY, United Kingdom
      Bumper crop from 5 year old tree in 2012 when other varietals failed to do well. This is a beautifully flavoured apple with definite Cox overtones
    • 28 Jul 2009  ELY, CAMBS, United Kingdom
      Have had this for two years from a maiden. It is highly susepatable to greenfly and the likes, resulting in a deformed tree. I will persevere with it for one more season and if there is no improvement, it will have to go.
    • 21 Oct 2008  SURREY, United Kingdom
      exquisite flavour rather like pitmaston pineapple in my colleagues opinion looking forward to more next year
    • 08 Oct 2008  ASPULL NR WIGAN LANCASHIRE ENGLAND, United Kingdom
      Cannot find a stockist of russett apples anywhere in my area can you help

    Tree register

    United States

    United Kingdom

    Netherlands

    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2018 season

    • 8th May  2018  - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom
    • 27th April  2018  - tree owned by Paul in Southport, United Kingdom
    • 23rd April  2018  - tree owned by deadbird in , United Kingdom

    2017 season

    • 29th April  2017  - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom

    2016 season

    • 13th May  2016  - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom
    • 8th May  2016  - tree owned by Paul in Southport, United Kingdom
    • May  2016  - tree owned by deadbird in , United Kingdom

    2015 season

    • 11th May  2015  - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom
    • 6th May  2015  - tree owned by Paul in Southport, United Kingdom

    2014 season

    • 13th May  2014  - tree owned by stanwatt2008@hotmail.co.uk in Gardenstown, United Kingdom
    • 2nd May  2014  - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom
    • 1st May  2014  - tree owned by Steve in Steeple Claydon, United Kingdom
    • 1st May  2014  - tree owned by Ian in Tewkesbury, United Kingdom

    2013 season

    • 2nd June  2013  - tree owned by stanwatt2008@hotmail.co.uk in Gardenstown, United Kingdom
    • 1st June  2013  - tree owned by Hilary in Holsworthy, United Kingdom
    • 27th May  2013  - tree owned by Steve in Steeple Claydon, United Kingdom
    • 12th May  2013  - tree owned by Paul in Southport, United Kingdom

    2012 season

    • 29th March  2012  - tree owned by Bob in Nottingham, United Kingdom

    2011 season

    • 7th May  2011  - tree owned by stanwatt2008@hotmail.co.uk in Gardenstown, United Kingdom
    • 17th April  2011  - tree owned by James in Melbourne, United Kingdom
    • 17th April  2011  - tree owned by Simon in Swanage, United Kingdom

    2010 season

    Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.


    Harvest records for this variety

    2018 season

    • 2nd week September  2018  - tree owned by Andy in Helston, United Kingdom

    2017 season

    • 3rd week October  2017  - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom

    2016 season

    • 2nd week October  2016  - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom

    2015 season

    • 2nd week October  2015  - tree owned by Bill in Smeeton Westerby, United Kingdom

    Origins

    • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
    • Parentage: Cox x Golden Delicious
    • Originates from: England, United Kingdom
    • Introduced: 2000
    • Developed by: Hugh Ermen
    • UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1994-017

    Identification

    • Country of origin: United Kingdom
    • Period of origin: 2000
    • Fruit colour: Russet
    • Flower colour: Pink - light
    • Leaf colour: Green
    • Popularity: Best sellers
    • Annual cycle: Deciduous

    Using

    • Picking season: Late
    • Keeping (of fruit): 1-2 months
    • Flavour quality: Very good
    • Flavour style (apples): Sweeter
    • Discoloration of fruit: Oxidising
    • Cropping: Good
    • Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
    • Food uses: Eating fresh
    • Picking period: mid-October
    • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

    Growing

    • Gardening skill: Beginner
    • Flowering group: 3
    • Pollinating others: Average
    • Ploidy: Diploid
    • Vigour: Weak growing
    • Bearing regularity: Regular
    • Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
    • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile

    Climate

    • Climate suitability: Temperate climates
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)

    Other qualities

    • Disease resistance: Average

    Where to buy trees

    The following tree nurseries offer Herefordshire Russet apple trees for sale:


    Where to buy fresh fruit

    The following orchards grow Herefordshire Russet:

    United Kingdom




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