Blenheim Orange

History and description of Blenheim Orange

The original seedling of Blenheim Orange was found growing against the boundary wall of Blenheim Park, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, UK by local man called Kempster. He planted it in his garden where it is said that "thousands thronged from all parts to gaze on its ruddy, ripening orange burden". It became known as Kempster's Pippin until a Worcestershire nurseryman called Biggs obtained permission from the Duke of Marlborough to market the variety as Blenheim Orange. It won further fame after winning the Banksian Silver Medal in 1820. It was widely grown in the UK until the 1930's. It also spread and gained popularity in other parts of Europe, North America and Australia. It is now no longer grown commercially on any significant scale but remains a favourite garden variety.

Large, flat round fruit. Orange red flush and stripes over greenish yellow skin. Speckled with fine brown russet spots and patches. Creamy white flesh with a crumbly texture. Considered as one of the loveliest apples with a distinctive, dry, nutty flavour. Dual purpose. Cooks to a stiff puree.

Very vigorous triploid variety capable of producing very large strong limbed trees. Best on dwarfing stock for small gardens. Part tip bearer. Shy cropper when young but cropping improves with age. Some biennial tendency.

Characteristics of Blenheim Orange apple trees

Use	Dual Cul & Des
Colour	Flushed
Flavour	Nutty
Fruit size	Large
Picking time	Late Sep/Early Oct
Season of use	Oct-Dec
Tree vigour	Vigorous
Tree habit	Upright-spreading
Fruit-bearing	Partial tip-bearer
Cropping	Erratic
Disease resistance	Scab - Susceptible Mildew - Resistant
Suitable for	Late Frost Northern Britain
Pollination date	12
Pollination group	D
Self-fertility	Self-sterile triploid
Pollinators	Pollination partners
Progeny	Annie Elizabeth Edward VII Eynsham Dumpling George Carpenter Howgate Wonder Newton Wonder Oxford Conquest Robert Blatchford