Gladstone

A red flushed summer apple. Quite sharp with a raspberry or redcurrant flavour.

Origin: Worcestershire UK, 1868

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

British-grown All our bare-root trees are personally hand-grafted by our Nursery Manager and grown on at our nursery in Kent. We have Defra and Plant Healthy certification. More ...

Gladstone apple trees produced to order

Closing date for custom graft orders: 14 Jul 2026

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:

Form	Rootstock	Price
Maiden	M9Dwarfing	£39.00
Maiden	M26Semi-dwarfing	£39.00
Maiden	MM106Semi-vigorous	£39.00
Maiden	MM111Vigorous	£39.00
Maiden	M25Very vigorous	£39.00

Custom graft trees would be supplied in December 2027. More details of our custom grafting service here.

History and description of Gladstone

Probably originated in about 1780. Rediscovered in a field by William Jackson of Blakedown Nursery, near Kidderminster, Worcestershire and introduced as Jackson’s Seedling in 1868. Received RHS First Class Certificate in 1883 and renamed Gladstone. Widely planted both commercially and in gardens and was an early market apple until the 1960’s.

A medium-sized apple. Round-conical shape. Irregular. Large uneven ribs. Often five crowned. Greenish yellow background skin colour. Partly or completely flushed and striped dark red. White flesh, tinged green. Sweet, crisp, yet soft and juicy, developing a raspberry to redcurrant flavour.

A tree of moderate vigour. Heavy cropper. Fruit tends to crack.

Characteristics of Gladstone apple trees

Use	Dessert
Colour	Red
Flavour	Raspberry
Fruit size	Medium
Picking time	Late July/Early Aug
Season of use	Aug
Tree vigour	Moderate
Tree habit	Upright-spreading
Fruit-bearing	Spur-bearer
Cropping	Heavy
Disease resistance	Scab - Resistant Canker - Resistant
Suitable for	Northern Britain Wet Regions
Pollination date	13
Pollination group	D
Self-fertility	Partially self-fertile
Pollinators	Pollination partners
Progeny	Laxton's Advance Laxton's Early Crimson Langley Pippin