Hambledon Deux Ans

History and description of Hambledon Deux Ans

Arose in about 1750 in Hambledon, Hampshire. Popular in 19th Century when it was said that every Hampshire garden had a ‘Deusans’ tree . Commercially grown in Kent. May still be found in old gardens in Hampshire and Sussex.

A large apple. Round-conical to conical shape, a few fruits almost oblong. Often irregular and sometimes lopsided. Some fruit fairly distinctly ribbed. Dull deep green background skin colour becoming golden yellow. May be up to three-quarters flushed brownish red, brightening to orange red on ripening. Some broad, broken, stripes. Creamy white flesh, tinged yellow. Firm and rather dry. Primarily a culinary apple, keeps its shape when cooked or makes a stiff puree. Sweet, quite rich taste when used early.

A very vigorous spreading tree. Good cropper. Prone to bitter pit. Very long-lived.

Characteristics of Hambledon Deux Ans apple trees

Use	Culinary
Colour	Flushed
Flavour	Rich
Fruit size	Large
Picking time	Early/Mid Oct
Season of use	Oct-Mar
Tree vigour	Vigorous
Tree habit	Spreading
Fruit-bearing	Spur-bearer
Cropping	Good
Special features	Attractive Blossom
Pollination date	10
Pollination group	C
Self-fertility	Self-sterile triploid
Pollinators	Pollination partners