Spring 2024
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Flower of Kent

The apple which is said to have prompted Newton to formulate his theory of gravitation.

Origin: Kent UK, 1629

Pollination: Flower of Kent is a self-sterile triploid and would require a pollinator to produce a crop.  Pollination partners

We are now closed for the season. Ordering for winter 2024/25 will be enabled from Wednesday 1st May 2024.

History and description of Flower of Kent

First listed in 1629. It is identical to the variety growing in Isaac Newton's garden at Woolsthorpe Manor, Near Grantham, Lincolnshire. According to the legend Newton was sitting under this tree when an apple fell to the ground and gave him the ideas which lead to his theory of gravitation. The original Isaac Newton tree died in 1814, but trees descending from it by grafting still survive and include the Isaac Newton trees at the National Physics Laboratory.

A large culinary apple, flushed and heavily ribbed. White, soft flesh, tinged green. Cooks to a sweet puree. Spreading, part tip-bearing tree.

Characteristics of Flower of Kent apple trees

UseCulinary
ColourFlushed
FlavourSweet
Fruit sizeLarge
Picking timeMid Oct
Season of useNov-Jan
Tree vigourModerate
Tree habitSpreading
Fruit-bearingPartial tip-bearer
Cropping
Pollination date20
Pollination groupF
Self-fertilitySelf-sterile triploid
PollinatorsPollination partners