Orchards, Trees & Orchard Produce

Some Leicestershire and Rutland Fruit

Dessert Apples
Barnack Orange raised in 1904 at Belvoir Castle by Head Gardener Mr WH Divers. Belvoir Seedling raised by Mr WH Divers probably while Head Gardener Belvoir Castle in the early 1900s. Marriage Maker sent to Dr Robert Hogg (secretary of the Pomological Society, and Britain’s top authority on fruit at the time) by Mr Harrison, a nurseryman in Leicester, recorded 1884 but though to be older. Prince Charles raised at Victoria Nurseries, Burbage in 1940s by Herbert Robinson. St Ailred.

Cooking Apples
Annie Elizabeth, named after Annie Elizabeth (who died aged 13 months) by her father Samuel Greatorex, who sowed a pip from a Blenheim Orange in a nearby allotment in Knighton, Leics, in 1857. Harrison’s Nurseries of Leicester introduced it in 1868. Best for making stewed apple because the slices never break. One of the best varieties for a small garden. Handsome ribbed fruit. Brilliant red and yellow when ripe. Dumelow’s Seedling (Wellington), a favourite of the Victorians. ‘It has a translucent quality, good for pies and makes a delicious, creamy, brisk baked apple or sauce’. Often used for making mincemeat because of its sharp, acid flavour. Dates from the 18th century. The original tree was flourishing in 1800. Accredited to Mr. Dumelow, a farmer at Shakerstone near Market Bosworth, Leics. Thought to be a seedling from Northern Greening. Queen Caroline – raised by Mr T Brown, nurseryman at Measham, Ashby-de-la-Zouch in first part of 19th century.

Plums
Monarch Plum, Old Workhouse Plum, Syston Plum.

This list was compiled using many sources including The New Book of Apples by Joan Morgan and Alison Richards (Ebury Press 2002).

Please get in touch with any additions or corrections