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Lord Derby

A good disease resistant cooking apple suitable for northern Britain.

Origin: Cheshire UK, 1862

Pollination: Lord Derby is partially self-fertile and would produce some crop without a pollinator but would benefit considerably from a pollinator.Find pollination partners >

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We are now closed for the season. Ordering for winter 2025/26 will be enabled from Thursday 1st May 2025.

History and description of Lord Derby

Raised by by B W Witham, a nurseryman from Stockport, Cheshire, UK. First recorded 1862. It is believed by some to be a Catshead seedling. It was grown commercially in Egnland in the late 19th Century. It still remains a popular garden variety particularly in northern England and Scotland.

Large, round-conical fruit with pronounced ribs. Bright green skin turning yellow. Occasional slight pinkish brown blush. Soft, rather dry, white flesh. Good for pies as it keeps some of its shape when cooked. Strong sharp flavour requiring some sugar when cooked. Loses acidity and flavour in storage and is best used before it turns yellow.

Vigorous, hardy tree. Good cropper. May require thinning when the crop is heavy. Partially self-fertile. Good disease resistance. Hardy and suitable for growing in northern Britain. Attractive apple pink blossom

Characteristics of Lord Derby apple trees

UseCulinary
ColourGreen
FlavourAcid
Fruit sizeLarge
Picking timeLate Sep
Season of useOct-Dec
Tree vigourVigorous
Tree habitUpright-spreading
Fruit-bearingSpur-bearer
CroppingGood
Disease resistanceScab - Resistant
Mildew - Resistant
Canker - Resistant
Suitable forLate Frost
Northern Britain
Wet Regions
Special featuresAttractive Blossom
Pollination date14
Pollination groupD
Self-fertilityPartially self-fertile
PollinatorsPollination partners
ParentageCatshead
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