Spring 2024
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Ben's Red

An old Cornish summer apple similar to Devonshire Quarrenden

Origin: Cornwall UK, 1830

Pollination: Ben's Red is self-sterile and would require a pollinator to produce a crop.  Pollination partners

Ben's Red apple trees produced to order

Closing date for custom graft orders: 14 Jul 2024

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 2025. More details of our custom grafting service here.

History and description of Ben's Red

Raised from a Devonshire Quarrenden seedling possibly pollinated by Farleigh Pippin by B Roberts, Trannack, Cornwall, UK c1830. Introduced in 1890's by the nurseryman G Bunyard of Maidstone, Kent. Received RHS Award of Merit 1899. Grown commercially in Kent until the 1920's in place of Worcester Pearmain and sold as 'Quarrenden' apples. Traditionally propagated from cuttings in its native Cornwall.

Medium sized, flat-round fruit. Dark maroon flush covering most of the pale greenish yellow skin. Pale cream flesh often tinged pink. Crisp and sweet with a strawberry flavour. Very similar to Devonshire Quarrenden but with better flavour and a slightly later season.

Small, spreading tree. Heavy cropper but with a biennial tendency.

Characteristics of Ben's Red apple trees

UseDessert
ColourRed
FlavourStrawberry
Fruit sizeMedium
Picking timeEarly Sep
Season of useSep
Tree vigourSmall
Tree habitSpreading
Fruit-bearingSpur-bearer
CroppingHeavy
Pollination date6
Pollination groupB
Self-fertilitySelf-sterile
PollinatorsPollination partners