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Ashmead's Kernel apple trees

Malus domestica
Ashmead's Kernel

Ashmeads Kernel is a very old traditional English russet apple. It remains popular for its distinctive pear-like flavour which is quite different from most other apple varieties.

Although often considered as a connoisseur's dessert apple, Ashmead's Kernel is actually quite versatile. It can be used for cooking, or sliced in savoury salads, and it keeps very well in a cold store.

Ashmead's Kernel is also becoming increasingly recognised for its juice, which adds an interesting fruity component to cider blends.

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Ashmead's Kernel apple trees for sale

Pot-grown

All pot-grown trees are suitable for planting out in the garden, some are suitable for growing in containers.

  • PG12-year bush-trained 11.5L pot-grown tree M27 rootstock £42.00
    Very small tree (< 1.7m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
  • PG22-year bush-trained 12L pot-grown tree M26 rootstock £39.50
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
  • PG32-year bush-trained 12L pot-grown tree MM106 rootstock £39.50
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
  • PG4Premium half-standard 12L pot-grown tree MM106 rootstock £44.50
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
  • PG5Espalier 12L pot-grown tree MM106 rootstock £59.50
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
    Contact us
  • PG6Fan-trained 12L pot-grown tree MM106 rootstock £59.50
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
    Contact us

Bare-root

  • BR12-year bush-trained bare-root tree M9 rootstock £29.95
    Small tree (1.5m-2.5m after 10 years)
  • BR2Cordon-trained bare-root tree M9 rootstock £29.95
    Small tree (1.5m-2.5m after 10 years)
  • BR31-year bare-root tree M26 rootstock £19.95
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
  • BR42-year bush-trained bare-root tree M26 rootstock £29.95
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
  • BR51-year bare-root tree M116 rootstock £19.95
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
  • BR61-year bare-root tree MM106 rootstock £19.95
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
  • BR72-year bush-trained bare-root tree MM106 rootstock £29.95
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
  • BR82-year half-standard bare-root tree MM106 rootstock £34.95
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
  • BR91-year bare-root tree M25 rootstock £19.95
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
  • BR102-year (1.75m) bare-root tree M25 rootstock £34.95
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)

How to grow

Ashmead's Kernel is quite easy to grow, and perhaps because it is such an ancient variety, it is relatively disease resistant. It can be a light cropper and this usually caused by poor pollination at blossom time - planting another late-flowering apple tree or crab-apple tree nearby is a good idea.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

Originated in England in the 1700s, probably in Gloucestershire.

Ashmead's Kernel characteristics

Using

  • CroppingLight
  • Picking seasonLate
  • Keeping (of fruit)3 months or more
  • Fruit persistenceNormal ripening
  • Flavour qualityVery good
  • WildlifeRHS perfect for pollinators
  • Flavour style (apples)Aromatic
  • Food usesEating freshJuice
  • Discoloration of fruitVery oxidising (browns quickly)
  • Juice styleSweeterSweet (cider)
  • Vitamin C contentLow

Growing

  • Gardening skillAverage
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Flowering group4
  • Pollinating othersPoor
  • PloidyTriploid
  • VigourAverage vigour
  • Bearing regularityRegular
  • Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
  • Organic cultureSuitable

Problems

  • Disease resistanceGood
  • MildewSome resistance
  • ScabSome resistance
  • Bitter pitSome susceptibility

Climate

  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesMild damp climates
  • Cold hardiness (USDA)(4) -30F / -34C(5) -20F / -29C(6) -10F / -23C(7) 0F / -18C(8) 10F / -12C(9) 20F / -7C(10) 30F / -1C
  • Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)

Identification

  • Country of originUnited Kingdom
  • Period of origin1700 - 1749
  • Flower colourWhite
  • Leaf colourGreen
  • Fruit colourRusset
  • AwardsRHS Award of Garden Merit