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Cornish Gilliflower

An old English apple with an unusual shape and sweet perfumed flavour orginating from Cornwall.

Origin: Cornwall UK, 1800

Pollination: Cornish Gilliflower is self-sterile and would require a pollinator to produce a crop.  Pollination partners

British-grown British-grown fruit trees 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. Find out more ...

Cornish Gilliflower apple trees for sale

1-year maiden trees

These are the most versatile choice for home orchards, community fruit tree projects, and for training on in any form you require.

FormRootstockPriceQuantity
MaidenM26Semi-dwarfing £25.50
< 5 in stock
MaidenMM106Semi-vigorous £25.50
< 5 in stock

If you do not see the rootstock you require it is likely we can graft a tree especially for you - click here for more details of our custom-grafting service.

History and description of Cornish Gilliflower

A very old variety, brought to notice by Sir Christopher Hawkins in 1813 having been discovered in a garden in Truro, Cornwall in about 1800. The word Gilliflower is believed to have been derived from the old French word Girofle meaning clove and given to this variety because it is supposed to have a clove-like frangrance when cut.

Medium to large sized, rather unusual irregular oblong or oblong-conical shaped fruit. The knobbly exterior is quite boldly ribbed and distinctly five crowned. The skin is rather rough, often with some russetting, greenish yellow with up to half flushed orange-red. Very firm yellow flesh, tinged green around the core. Rather dry but sweet with a melon like frangrance.

Moderately vigorous, very spreading tree. It is a tip-bearer and unsuited for training into restricted forms such as cordons and espaliers. A light cropper.

Characteristics of Cornish Gilliflower apple trees

UseDessert
ColourFlushed
FlavourAromatic
Fruit sizeMedium
Picking timeMid Oct
Season of useNov-Jan
Tree vigourModerate
Tree habitUpright-spreading
Fruit-bearingTip-bearer
CroppingLight
Disease resistanceCanker - Susceptible
Scab - Resistant
Special featuresAttractive Blossom
Pollination date12
Pollination groupD
Self-fertilitySelf-sterile
PollinatorsPollination partners
ProgenyCornish Pine
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