By the early 20th century Cox's Orange Pippin was well-established as the premier English apple. However it was not the easiest to grow, and many attempts were made to cross it with varieties which were easier to manage. Rival is slightly unusual in that the other parent is Peasgood's Nonsuch, a well-regarded English cooking apple, which imparts good disease resistance and a much shaper flavour.
Rival is a good variety for attracting deer as the apples stay on the tree into winter.
USDA identification images for Rival
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
- Cox's Orange Pippin (parent)
- Peasgood's Nonsuch (parent)
Offspring of this variety
Visitor reviews
- 20 Oct 2013 NORFOLK, United KingdomWe have a Rival tree in our garden. Apples taste quite sweet and cook well. They are not good "keepers" as they yend to become quite floury.
Tree register
United Kingdom
- John Baker in Llanfairynghornwy, ANGLESEY
- Sheila Barnes in Methwold, NORFOLK
Switzerland
- Helmut Mueller in Neukirch, THURGAU
Spring blossom records for this variety
2013 season
- May 2013 - tree owned by Sheila in Methwold, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
2013 season
- 4th week August 2013 - tree owned by Sheila in Methwold, United Kingdom
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Parentage: Peasgood Nonsuch x Cox's Orange Pippin
- Originates from: Berkshire, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1907
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1907-006
Identification
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Fruit colour: Green
Using
- Picking season: Late
- Keeping (of fruit): 1-2 months
- Flavour quality: Good
- Flavour style (apples): Sharper
- Cooking result: Textured puree
- Cropping: Good
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Food uses: Culinary
Growing
- Gardening skill: Average
- Flowering group: 3
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Bearing regularity: Biennial tendency
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Self-fertility: Partially self-fertile
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Cold-hardiness: Cold-hardy
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Good
Where to buy fresh fruit
No orchards have registered as growing this variety. If you grow this and want to register please go to our Orchard Registration form.
References
- Apples of England (1948)
Author: Taylor