Fruit tree comparisons
 Roberts Red |  Blue Violet | |
|---|---|---|
| Roberts Red or Roberts Crab is an unusual red-fleshed crab-apple, with dark pink blossom, and purple fruits. Useful for cooking and produces a claret red colour juice. | A traditional Westmorland damson variety - unusually sweet and early-ripening for a damson. | |
| remove | remove |
Growing
| Crab apple trees Roberts Red | Damson trees Blue Violet | |
|---|---|---|
| Gardening skill | Beginner | Beginner |
| Self-fertility | Self-fertile | Self-fertile |
| Flowering group | 2 | 3 |
| Pollinating others | Poor | Average |
| Fruit bearing | Spur-bearer | |
| Climate suitability | Temperate climates Mild damp climates | Temperate climates Mild damp climates |
Using
| Crab apple trees Roberts Red | Damson trees Blue Violet | |
|---|---|---|
| Picking season | Mid | Early |
| Keeping (of fruit) | 2-3 weeks | 1 week |
| Cropping | Heavy | Good |
| Food uses | Culinary Juice Hard cider | Culinary |
Problems
| Crab apple trees Roberts Red | Damson trees Blue Violet | |
|---|---|---|
| Disease resistance | Good |
Identification
| Crab apple trees Roberts Red | Damson trees Blue Violet | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of origin | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Period of origin | 1950 - 1999 | 1900 - 1949 |
| Flowering month | April | |
| Blossom colour | Pink - dark | White |
| Fruit colour | Purple | Blue - dark |
| Flesh colour | Pink / Red |