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Ellis Bitter

A traditional medium bittersweet cider apple widely grown in the West Country.

Origin: Devon UK,

Pollination: Ellis Bitter is self-sterile and would require a pollinator to produce a crop.Find pollination partners >

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We are now closed for the season. Ordering for winter 2026/27 will be enabled from Friday 1st May 2026.

History and description of Ellis Bitter

Believed to have arisen in 19th Century on the farm of Mr Ellis at Newton St Cyres, Devon. Grown widely in the West Country and Herefordshire. Medium sized red flushed fruit. Produces a sweet, astringent juice and medium bittersweet cider. A vigorous tip-bearing tree with a bienniel tendency. Fruit tends to drop as it ripens.

Characteristics of Ellis Bitter apple trees

UseCider
ColourFlushed
FlavourBittersweet
Fruit sizeMedium
Picking timeLate Sep/Early Oct
Season of useSep-Oct
Tree vigourVigorous
Tree habitUpright-spreading
Fruit-bearingTip-bearer
CroppingBiennial
Special featuresGood for Cider
Pollination date20
Pollination groupF
Self-fertilitySelf-sterile
PollinatorsPollination partners
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