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James Grieve apple trees

James Grieve is a justifiably popular dual-purpose apple variety, raised in Scotland at the end of the 19th century, the height of the Victorian period of apple development in the UK. It is a very juicy apple, producing plenty of sharp-tasting apple juice.

James Grieve is a mid-season variety that is picked in early-mid September. At this stage it is pleasantly acidic and refreshing and if it is too sharp for eating it can be used for cooking (cut it into small chunks, it keeps its shape when cooked). After a few weeks the flavour sweetens and becomes quite mild, and it is then an excellent apple to eat in slices along with a cheese course. The flesh is soft, somewhat like a firm pear in texture.

James Grieve is an excellent pollinator for many other apple varieties.

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James Grieve 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.

  • PG1Premium cordon 12L pot-grown tree M9 rootstock £43.50
    Small tree (1.5m-2.5m after 10 years)
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  • PG2Espalier 12L pot-grown tree MM106 rootstock £59.50
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
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  • PG3Fan-trained 12L pot-grown tree MM106 rootstock £59.50
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
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Bare-root

  • BR1Cordon-trained bare-root tree M9 rootstock £33.95
    Small tree (1.5m-2.5m after 10 years)
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  • BR22-year bush-trained bare-root tree M9 rootstock £29.95
    Small tree (1.5m-2.5m after 10 years)
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  • BR31-year bare-root tree M26 rootstock £19.95
    Medium tree (2m-3m after 10 years)
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  • BR41-year bare-root tree MM106 rootstock £19.95
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)
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  • BR52-year half-standard bare-root tree MM106 rootstock £34.95
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  • BR61-year bare-root tree M25 rootstock £19.95
    Very large tree (4m-7m after 10 years)
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  • BR72-year (1.75m) bare-root tree M25 rootstock £29.95
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Next deliveries

Order now for delivery early March (when showing as being in stock)

How to grow

James Grieve is well-suited to the UK climate but does better in drier areas. In Scotland it does better on the east than the west. It is prone to premature fruit drop if grown in climates that are warmer than southern England.

James Grieve is a very useful pollinator of many other apple varieties. Not only does it produce far more pollen than most other apples, but the pollen is viable at lower temperatures than is usually the case (down to around 10C as opposed to the 15C-20C range which is most desirable for apple pollination).

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

Edinburgh, Scotland 1893, probably descended from an old Scottish culinary variety Pott's Seedling.

James Grieve characteristics

Growing

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • Self-fertilityPartially self-fertile
  • Flowering group3
  • Pollinating othersGood
  • Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climates

Using

  • Picking seasonMid
  • CroppingGood
  • Keeping (of fruit)1-2 months
  • Food usesEating freshCulinaryJuiceHard ciderDual purpose
  • Flavour style (apples)Sharper
  • Cooking resultKeeps shape

Problems

  • Disease resistanceAverage
  • ScabSome susceptibility
  • CankerSome resistance

Climate

    Identification

    • Country of originUnited Kingdom
    • Period of origin1850 - 1899
    • Fruit colourOrange flush
    • AwardsRHS Award of Garden Merit