Orchards, Trees & Orchard Produce

Some Worcestershire Fruit

Dessert Apples
Gladstone, a chance seedling originating in about 1780. First called Jackman’s Seedling and re-named after the Prime Minister. Introduced by Blakedown Nursery, Kidderminster. Green Purnell. Hope Cottage Seedling raised from a pip by Mrs Oakley of Hope Cottage, Rochford near Tenbury Wells in 1900. King Charles’ Pearmain sent to Hogg 1876 by John Smith, a nurseryman in Worcester. King Coffee from Worcester. Madresfield Court, thought to have been raised by William Crump, Head Gardener at Madresfield Court, introduced 1915. May Queen raised by Mr Haywood of Worcester, recorded 1888. Pitmaston Nonpareil / Pitmaston Russet Nonpareil raised at Pitmaston by John Williams, exhibited 1818. Pitmaston Pineapple with its distinctive pineapple flavour, thought to have been raised at Witley by Mr White in about 1785, then marketed by John Williams of Pitmaston in 1825. Rushock Pearmain / King Charles Pearmain raised in about 1820 by Charles Taylor, a blacksmith at Rushock. Sandlin Duchess raised by Mr Gabb of Sandlin near Malvern in about 1880 and introduced by William Crump, Head Gardner at Madresfield Court. William Crump either raised at Madresfield Court where Crump was Head Gardener, or by the Rowes nurseries of Worcester. Worcester Pearmain a popular variety thought to have originated at Swan Pool near Worcester in about 1870, raised by Mr Hale from a pip taken from a Devonshire Quarrenden and introduced by Messrs Smith of Worcester in 1873. Very sweet and juicy, crisp, attractive fruit with a red skin and white flesh, with a hint of strawberry, a good apple for sorbets.

Cooking Apples
Betty Geeson introduced by Dr Davies of Pershore in 1854, the Herefordshire Pomona states it was raised from a pip by Betty Geeson near Belvoir. Dick’s Favourite raised at Rowes Nurseries, Worcester by the foreman Mr Carless in the late 19th century. Edward VII introduced by Barbourne Nurseries, Worcester in about 1908, cooks to tasty puree, and has very pretty pink blossom.

Dual Purpose Apples
Chatley Kernel first exhibited 1894, for eating or cooking. Newland Sack thought to be from late 18th century, found in discarded cider pomace at Newland Court near Great Malvern, keep well, and becomes sweeter for eating after Christmas.

Other Apples
Whiting Pippin

Plums
Evesham Wonder, Pershore Yellow Egg, Purple Pershore. Pershore Emblem bred by Jim Witts on his allotment and launched at the Pershore Plum Fayre in August 2000.

Pears
Black Worcester, a hard culinary pear featured on the crest of the City and the County Cricket Club. Pitmaston Duchess.

Perry Pears
Judge Amphlett, Rock.

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

For more details on Shropshire varieties contact the Marcher Apple Network who have produced the booklet ‘Apples of the Welsh Marches’. See their web-site.

Please get in touch with any additions or corrections