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Apple trees

Expert help available for this variety

Discovery

RHS AGM
  • Discovery
  • Discovery

Discovery is probably the most well-known early English apple variety, ripening in late August.

It is grown commercially on a small scale in the UK, but it has a very short shelf-life, and shop-bought apples can be disappointing if not picked at exactly the right time. For this reason Discovery is definitely a variety that is better grown in the garden, and preferably eaten straight from the tree - although it will keep in a fridge for a week if necessary.

In some years there is a hint of strawberry flavour, which adds to the summery appeal.

Reserve now for delivery w/c 3rd September onwards

Discovery apple trees for sale

Mature height*Supplied asPrice**
inc. delivery		Quantity
required

Semi-mature fruit trees (delivery Sept 2012 - April 2013)

Large (3m - 4m)3-year Half-Standard -12L pot - MM106 rootstock £45.00

Pot-grown fruit trees (delivery Sept 2012 - April 2013)

Very small (1.5m - 2m)2-year -11.5L pot - M27 rootstock £36.00
Very small (1.5m - 2m)2-year bush-tree -12L pot - M27 rootstock £38.00
Small (1.8m - 2.5m)1-year -3L pot - M9 rootstock £30.00
Medium (2.2m - 3m)2-year bush-tree -12L pot - M26 rootstock £38.00
Large (3m - 4m)1-year -3L pot - MM106 rootstock £30.00
Large (3m - 4m)2-year bush-tree -12L pot - MM106 rootstock £38.00

Bare-root fruit trees (delivery any week Nov 2012 - Feb 2013)

Very small (1.5m - 2m)1-year -Bare-root - M27 rootstock £30.00
Small (1.8m - 2.5m)1-year -Bare-root - M9 rootstock £32.00
Medium (2.2m - 3m)1-year -Bare-root - M26 rootstock £30.00
Large (3m - 4m)1-year -Bare-root - MM106 rootstock £30.00
Large (3m - 4m)2-year -Bare-root - MM106 rootstock £33.00
Large (3m - 4m)2-year Half-Standard -Bare-root - MM106 rootstock £36.00

Trained fruit trees - pot-grown (delivery Sept 2012 - April 2013)

Small (1.8m - 2.5m)3-year Cordon -12L pot - M9 rootstock £39.00
Large (3m - 4m)Fan 2-year -12L pot - MM106 rootstock £49.00
Large (3m - 4m)Espalier 2-year 2-tier -12L pot - MM106 rootstock £49.00

Trained fruit trees - bare-root (delivery any week Nov 2012 - Feb 2013)

Small (1.8m - 2.5m)2-year Cordon -Bare-root - M9 rootstock £33.00

**All prices include delivery (except certain fan-trained or espalier-trained trees). We offer a discount on orders of multiple bare-root trees for delivery at the same time - this will be shown at the checkout.

Fan-trained and Espalier trees: Prices of these trees do NOT include delivery as these require special delivery arrangements - click here for details.

Delivery period: Pot-grown trees can be delivered from September onwards. Bare-root trees can be delivered from mid-November onwards. Within those periods you can specify your preferred month of delivery during the checkout process. It is best to order as soon as you can to ensure items are reserved for you.

*Mature heights: Height shown is the approximate height of the tree when mature (after 5-10 years), not the height when supplied. See photos of trees as supplied. Actual mature heights may vary considerably dependent on your local conditions and training and pruning regime.

Stock availability: Items showing as 'sold out' will probably be available again next season. If you would like to reserve in advance use our enquiry form - this does not commit you to anything.



Alternative varieties

See also product

Scrumptious

One of the best-flavoured early-season varieties.
See also product

Worcester Pearmain

A parent of Discovery, but a versatile early-season variety in its own right.


Growing

  • Overall disease resistance: Good
  • Cropping: Good
  • Fertility: Not self-fertile
  • Flowering group: 3
  • Ploidy: Diploid
  • Pollinating others: Average
  • Bearing regularity: Regular
  • Fruit bearing: Partial tip-bearer
  • Gardening skill: Easy
  • Vigour: Average growth
  • Fruit persistence: Normal ripening

Uses

Identification

  • Fruit colour: Red
  • Blossom colour: White
  • Leaf colour: Green
  • Country of origin: United Kingdom
  • Period of origin: 1900 - 1949
  • RHS AGM

Climate


Pollination guide for Discovery apple trees

Discovery is self-sterile and needs to be pollinated by another tree of a different variety nearby. Since it flowers in the middle of the blossom season it can be pollinated by most other apple trees.

Our online pollination checker lists suitable pollination partners for this variety.

More advice about pollination.


How to grow Discovery apple trees

Discovery is very easy to grow, and has good disease resistance. Being an early-season apple, it can ripen in a short growing season and is therefore a good choice for northern areas.

Planting instructions.

Pruning instructions.


Historical details

Discovery is a seedling of another popular English early apple, Worcester Pearmain, found in Essex, UK, in 1949.

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