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Saint Edmund's Pippin apple

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Saint Edmund's Pippin

Saint Edmund's Pippin is a typical English russet apple - sometimes known as Saint Edmund's Russet.  It is very similar to the more widely-known Egremont Russet.  Its season is slightly earlier and it does not keep particularly well.  The flavour however is arguably richer than Egremont Russet, and the flesh seems juicier - it is not necessarily a better apple, but fans of russet apples tend to think the flavour is superior.

Although a tendency to russeting is a feature of many apple families and varieties (including Golden Delicious and Cox's Orange Pippin), those varieties which exhibit heavy or complete russeting such as Saint Edmund's Pippin are clearly closely related to each other in some way - although interestingly very little is known about the parentage of any of the classic russet varieties.  However these russet varieties are often very good varieties for the garden - the trees generally grow in a neat fashion and have very good disease resistance, and tolerate a wide range of growing situations.

Again like several other russet varieties, Saint Edmund's Pippin produces a good juice and can be used for cider production.

Saint Edmund's Pippin apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

  • Saint Edmund's Russet
  • Saint Edmund's Russet

USDA identification images for Saint Edmund's Pippin

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.

    Visitor reviews

    • 26 Sep 2024 
      On M26 rootstock, had this since 2017. Sheffield UK at 220m elevation. One tree, not in best spot, This year 26 Sept, fruit has an incredible depth of flavour. Thin skin, sweet and acidic, somewhere between honey and pear with a floral/russet finish. Can't stress enough that it's only fully ripe if there's at least some rosy blush on the fruit.
    • 24 Aug 2024  OHIO (OH), United States
      Probably one of the top five best flavored apples I've ever tasted. Nice and sweet with a perfect balance of acidity. Complex, rich flavor with wonderful, distinctive pear notes.
    • 15 Oct 2019  ANGUS, United Kingdom
      The best apple known to mankind. Not only is it the best russet it is even tastier than other megahits like Ashmeads, Kidds and maybe even Cox. It is also a very healthy tree and clean fruit
    • 09 Oct 2018  CORNWALL, United Kingdom
      Love this variety. It is sweet but tangy, richly flavoured, easy to grow. Juicier than Egremont, superior to Egremont in my opinion. Damp climate proof, no disease at all over the last 5 years. Downsides: it does not keep at all, max 2 weeks and turns brown very quickly and leans to tip bearing. But if you are looking for a russet apple with great flavour that is diseases resistant, this is definately worth considering.
    • 16 Sep 2016  MASSACHUSETTS, United States
      Hints of lime citrus in crisp white flesh. Not particularly juicy but not dry either. Dull yellow skin with marks of russetting here in New England.
    • 30 Apr 2016  DOWNTON WILTSHIRE, United Kingdom
      I've always loved Egremonts but this is an even nicer russet. Do be careful to let it ripen on the tree otherwise it can be disappointing.
    • 06 Oct 2013  NORTH YORKSHIRE, United Kingdom
      My favourite russett apple. Sweet and juicy with a touch of pear flavour. Crops reasonably well in most years in North England.
    • 07 Jan 2012  United Kingdom
      My favorite apple - I liked it so much I bought the tree. Crops well for an early.

    Tree register

    United States

    United Kingdom

    Ireland

    Netherlands

    Canada

    Australia

    Spring blossom records for this variety

    2020 season

    • 22nd April  2020  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States
    • April  2020  - tree owned by Rebecca in Lafayette, United States

    2019 season

    • 22nd April  2019  - tree owned by Jerry in Point Reyes Station, United States

    2017 season

    • 22nd April  2017  - tree owned by Bill in , United Kingdom

    2016 season

    • 9th May  2016  - tree owned by Bill in , United Kingdom

    2015 season

    • 27th April  2015  - tree owned by Bill in , United Kingdom

    2014 season

    • 21st April  2014  - tree owned by Zoe in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
    • 19th April  2014  - tree owned by Bill in , United Kingdom

    2013 season

    • 15th May  2013  - tree owned by Jean in Martock, United Kingdom
    • 13th May  2013  - tree owned by Bill in , United Kingdom

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


    Harvest records for this variety

    2017 season

    • 2nd week September  2017  - tree owned by Bill in , United Kingdom

    2016 season

    • 3rd week September  2016  - tree owned by Bill in , United Kingdom

    2015 season

    • 3rd week September  2015  - tree owned by Bill in , United Kingdom

    2013 season

    • 4th week September  2013  - tree owned by Zoe in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
    • 3rd week September  2013  - tree owned by Bill in , United Kingdom

    2011 season

    • 2nd week September  2011  - tree owned by Jude in Peasenhall, United Kingdom

    Origins

    • Species: Malus domestica - Apple
    • Parentage: Unknown
    • Originates from: Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom
    • Introduced: 1875
    • Developed by: Mr R. Harvey
    • UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1977-161

    Identification

    • Awards: RHS AGM (current)
    • Country of origin: United Kingdom
    • Period of origin: 1850 - 1899
    • Fruit colour: Russet
    • Flower colour: White
    • Leaf colour: Green
    • Popularity: Rarely grown
    • Annual cycle: Deciduous

    Using

    • Picking season: Mid
    • Keeping (of fruit): 2-3 weeks
    • Flavour quality: Very good
    • Flavour style (apples): Sweeter
    • Discoloration of fruit: Oxidising
    • Cropping: Good
    • Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
    • Food uses: Eating fresh
    • Food uses: Juice
    • Food uses: Hard cider
    • Picking period: mid-September
    • Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators

    Growing

    • Gardening skill: Beginner
    • Flowering group: 3
    • Pollinating others: Average
    • Ploidy: Diploid
    • Vigour: Slightly small
    • Bearing regularity: Regular
    • Fruit bearing: Partial tip-bearer
    • Attractive features: Attractive fruit
    • Self-fertility: Partially self-fertile
    • Feathers on maiden: Rarely has feathers (whip)

    Climate

    • Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 5 (-29C)
    • Climate suitability: Temperate climates
    • Climate suitability: Mild damp climates
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
    • Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
    • Cold hardiness (RHS): H6 (to -20C)

    Other qualities

    • Disease resistance: Good
    • Scab (Apple and Pear): Very resistant
    • Canker: Some resistance
    • Powdery mildew: Some resistance
    • Cedar apple rust: Some resistance

    Where to buy trees

    The following tree nurseries offer Saint Edmund's Pippin apple trees for sale:


    Where to buy fresh fruit

    The following orchards grow Saint Edmund's Pippin:

    United States


    United Kingdom


    Canada




    References


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