A late-season modern English apple with a good aromatic flavour.
Winter Gem apple identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Winter Gem
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)
- Grimes Golden (parent)
Visitor reviews
- 05 Oct 2020 CO. WEXFORD, IrelandMy tree is still young but we had the first apples this year. They were picked slightly early because of early frost and gales but were still really delicious with a perfect combination of acidity and sweetness. Of the 23 apple trees I have they were the only apples with no hint of scab and were beautiful fruit. There was a hint of the reported rich flavour which I am sure will develop as the fruits ripen more.
Tree register
United States
- Jerry Hudgins in Point Reyes Station, CALIFORNIA
United Kingdom
- Amanda in London,
- Clifford Cain in Doncaster, SOUTH YORKSHIRE
- Connor in Southampton,
- Conrad Maloney in CHELTENHAM, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
- David Watts in GASTARD, WILTSHIRE
- Eric Hill in Bristol, SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
- Euan Cameron in LARBERT,
- Henryc in Andover, HAMPSHIRE
- Irina Pertsel in Durham, COUNTY DURHAM
- Jeff in Leicester, LEICESTERSHIRE
- John Baker in Llanfairynghornwy, ANGLESEY
- Keat Lee in Bristol, AVON
- Kenneth Stewart in Hythe, KENT
- Mark Crook in Lincoln, LINCS
- Michael Adams in Halifax, WEST YORKSHIRE
- Mike Galtrey in Godalming, SURREY
- N. Buck in Cambridge, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
- Philip Baldock in Eastbourne, EAST SUSSEX
- Sean O'Flynn in LEEDS,
- Simon Lampitt in Malvern, WORCESTERSHIRE
- Somewhere in London,
France
- Jacqueline Lawrence in Rodez, AVEYRON
- Paul Kendall in Poupas, TARN-ET-GARONNE
Greece
- Xenophon Alexopoulos in Gardiki Souliou, THESPROTIA
Spring blossom records for this variety
2022 season
- 25th April 2022 - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
2021 season
- 14th May 2021 - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
2020 season
- 26th April 2020 - tree owned by Eric in Bristol, United Kingdom
- 25th April 2020 - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
2019 season
- 24th April 2019 - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
2017 season
- 27th April 2017 - tree owned by Eric in Bristol, United Kingdom
- 17th April 2017 - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
2016 season
- 14th May 2016 - tree owned by Eric in Bristol, United Kingdom
- 12th May 2016 - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
- 8th May 2016 - tree owned by Simon in Malvern, United Kingdom
2015 season
- 16th May 2015 - tree owned by Michael in Halifax, United Kingdom
- 29th April 2015 - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
- April 2015 - tree owned by Simon in Malvern, United Kingdom
2014 season
- 30th April 2014 - tree owned by Eric in Bristol, United Kingdom
- 29th April 2014 - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
2013 season
- 23rd May 2013 - tree owned by Eric in Bristol, United Kingdom
- 13th May 2013 - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
- May 2013 - tree owned by Jeff in Leicester, United Kingdom
2012 season
- 3rd May 2012 - tree owned by Eric in Bristol, United Kingdom
- 25th April 2012 - tree owned by Keat in Bristol, United Kingdom
2011 season
- 22nd April 2011 - tree owned by Eric in Bristol, United Kingdom
- 10th April 2011 - tree owned by Simon in Malvern, United Kingdom
2010 season
- 1st May 2010 - tree owned by N. in Cambridge, United Kingdom
2009 season
- 23rd April 2009 - tree owned by N. in Cambridge, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
2019 season
- 4th week September 2019 - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
2017 season
- 4th week September 2017 - tree owned by Mike in Godalming, United Kingdom
2016 season
- 4th week August 2016 - tree owned by Simon in Malvern, United Kingdom
2015 season
- 2nd week September 2015 - tree owned by Simon in Malvern, United Kingdom
2009 season
- October 2009 - tree owned by N. in Cambridge, United Kingdom
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Parentage: Grimes Golden and Cox's Orange Pippin
- Originates from: Faversham, Kent, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1975
- Developed by: Hugh Ermen
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1999-067
Identification
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Period of origin: 1950 - 1999
- Fruit colour: Orange flush
- Flower colour: Pink - light
- Leaf colour: Green
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
Using
- Picking season: Late
- Keeping (of fruit): 1-2 months
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Flavour style (apples): Aromatic
- 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: Average
- Flowering group: 3
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Vigorous
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Attractive features: Attractive fruit
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
Other qualities
- Bitter pit: Very resistant
- Scab (Apple and Pear): Some susceptibility
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Winter Gem apple trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (UK) United Kingdom
Winter Gem apple trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Winter Gem:
United Kingdom
England - midlands
England - south-east
- Kimpton Manor Apple Press, Andover