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King of the Pippins apple trees

King of the Pippins
King of the Pippins has received the RHS Award of Garden MeritKing of the Pippins is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Late
  • Self-fertility: Partially self-fertile
  • Flowering group: 4
  • Awards: RHS AGM (current) 1993
A popular and versatile dual-purpose apple, widely grown in the Victorian era.
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King of the Pippins apple trees for sale

Bare-root

  • BR12-year (1.75m) bare-root tree M25 rootstock £46.95
    Very large tree (4m-7m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
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Delivery charges

Delivery for a single tree starts at £9.95. It is calculated when you add trees to your basket, based on your postcode.

Fruit tree delivery to EuropeEU delivery
This variety is also available for delivery to Europe. Contact us for details.

King of the Pippins is a widely-grown apple from the Victorian period. It is very typical of the "reinette" style apple, with its flushed orange skin and firm rather than crisp flesh - quite different to the modern supermarket apple.

King of the Pippins is a versatile apple, which is probably the main reason for its success. Although usually considered a dessert variety, it can also be used for cooking - particularly French-style patisseries, since the slices keep their shape when cooked. It is a good juicing apple too, the juice has a good robust flavour and can also be used in cider blends.

How to grow

King of the Pippins is a good and reliable cropper. It grows in a compact neat fashion. Disease resistance is fairly good.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

The origins of King of the Pippins are not certain, but it was first recorded around 1800 in London, where it was introduced by a nurseryman, Kirke of Brompton. It almost certainly comes from France where it is known as Reine des Reinettes, but there are many other synonyms for this variety.

King of the Pippins characteristics

Growing

  • Gardening skillAverage
  • Self-fertilityPartially self-fertile
  • Flowering group4
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climates

Using

  • Picking seasonLate
  • CroppingGood
  • Keeping (of fruit)3 months or more
  • Food usesEating freshCulinaryJuiceHard ciderDual purpose

Problems

  • Disease resistanceAverage

Identification

  • Country of originFrance
  • Period of origin1800 - 1849
  • Blossom colourPink - light
  • Fruit colourOrange flush
  • AwardsRHS AGM (current)