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Alfriston

A traditional old cooking apple from Sussex.

Origin: Sussex UK, 1800

Pollination: Alfriston is self-sterile and would require a pollinator to produce a crop.  Pollination partners

British-grown British-grown fruit trees All our bare-root trees are personally hand-grafted by our Nursery Manager and grown on at our nursery in Kent. We have Defra and Plant Healthy certification. Find out more ...

Alfriston apple trees produced to order

Closing date for custom graft orders: 14 Jul 2025

We do not stock this variety, but we can produce custom-graft trees for you. Trees can be grafted on any of the following rootstocks:

FormRootstockPriceQuantity
MaidenM9Dwarfing £39.00
MaidenM26Semi-dwarfing £39.00
MaidenMM106Semi-vigorous £39.00
MaidenMM111Vigorous £39.00
MaidenM25Very vigorous £39.00

Custom graft trees would be supplied in December 2026. More details of our custom grafting service here.

History and description of Alfriston

Alfriston apple was raised late 18th Century by a Mr Shepherd of Uckfield, Sussex, UK. Originally known as Shepherd's Pippin. Renamed Alfriston in 1891 when it was sent to the London Horticultural Society by a Mr Booker of Alfriston, near Lewes, Sussex. Received RHS Award of Merit 1920. Grown commercially in the UK until 1930's. Also grown in Australia.

Medium to large, oblong fruit. Bright yellowish green skin. Soft, cream coloured flesh. Quite sharp, cooking to a light flavoured froth. Keeps very well but loses its acidity after November.

Moderately vigorous tree. Good cropper but biennial. Good disease resistance.

Characteristics of Alfriston apple trees

UseCulinary
ColourGreen
FlavourSharp
Fruit sizeMedium
Picking timeEarly/Mid Oct
Season of useNov-Apr
Tree vigourModerate
Tree habitUpright-spreading
Fruit-bearingSpur-bearer
CroppingBiennial
Disease resistanceScab - Resistant
Canker - Resistant
Mildew - Resistant
Suitable forWet Regions
Pollination date10
Pollination groupC
Self-fertilitySelf-sterile
PollinatorsPollination partners
ProgenyMorley's Seedling
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