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Ashmead's Kernel apple trees

Malus domestica
Ashmead's Kernel
Ashmead's Kernel has received the RHS Award of Garden MeritAshmead's Kernel is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
A versatile English 17th century russet apple, Ashmead's Kernel is noted for its distinctive pear-like flavour.
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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 £46.00
    Very small tree (< 1.7m after 10 years)
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  • PG22-year bush-trained 12L pot-grown tree MM106 rootstock £43.00
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
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  • PG3Espalier 12L pot-grown tree MM106 rootstock £70.00
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
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  • PG4Fan-trained 12L pot-grown tree MM106 rootstock £70.00
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
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Bare-root

  • BR12-year (1.75m) bare-root tree M25 rootstock £35.50
    Very large tree (4m-7m after 10 years)
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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.

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

Growing

  • Gardening skillAverage
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Flowering group4
  • Pollinating othersPoor
  • PloidyTriploid
  • Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesMild damp climates
  • WildlifeRHS Plants for Pollinators

Using

  • Picking seasonLate
  • CroppingLight
  • Keeping (of fruit)3 months or more
  • Food usesEating freshJuice
  • Flavour style (apples)Aromatic
  • Juice styleSweeterSweet (cider)

Problems

  • Disease resistanceGood
  • ScabSome resistance
  • MildewSome resistance

Identification

  • Country of originUnited Kingdom
  • Period of origin1700 - 1749
  • Fruit colourRusset
  • AwardsRHS AGM (current)