Christmas 2024Order now for delivery from week commencing 9th December.More>

King of the Pippins apple trees

King of the Pippins apples
Check pollinators >
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

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.

King of the Pippins apple trees for sale

Bare-root

  • BR11-year bare-root tree MM106 rootstock £34.95
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years)
  • BR22-year (1.75m) bare-root tree M25 rootstock £46.95
    Very large tree (4m-7m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
    Please try next season

Need help? Ask our fruit tree experts

Call us on 01759 392007 or fill in our contact form.

Next deliveries

Order now for delivery from week commencing 9th December.

Delivery charges

Delivery for a single tree starts at £9.95, it is calculated based on your postcode.

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

Growing and Training

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

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
  • Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climates

Using

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

Problems

  • Disease resistanceAverage
  • Scab (Apple and Pear)Some susceptibility

Identification

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

British-grown trees Trees grown in the UK.

Unlike many garden centres and online retailers, the vast majority of our fruit trees are grown in the UK. Find out more.

In addition, all our trees are certified under the Plant Healthy scheme, supervised by the Plant Health Alliance. Other stakeholders include Defra and the RHS. The scheme aims to improve UK biosecurity by setting standards for all growers and retailers involved in selling plants in the UK. Find out more

Guaranteed fruit trees

When you buy your fruit tree from Orange Pippin Fruit Trees we guarantee it for the first season in your garden whilst it gets established. If it doesn't grow successfully, we'll either replace it the following season or offer a refund - subject to some conditions. Find out more.