English Apples - Croft Late Seedling
From Croft, Leicestershire; a very late seedling found outside the old quarry gates. Small, red-blushed
apples which hang very late on the tree (sometimes late Jan), retaining a wonderful crunchy texture (with some astringency) until mid-March or even
later. In 2009 some of them lasted, still good, into June.
The flavour is Cox-type, though a bit more astringent, but the texture, juiciness and keeping quality make
up for it. This is an excellent apple; good for growing in a pot and picking fresh on Christmas morning. Originally I thought
it was Annie Elizabeth but it's harder and smaller.
Pictures (click on small images for detail):
Blossom
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Fruit
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compiled by Nigel Deacon / Diversity website
