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D'Arcy Spice

A famous old variety from Essex with a distinctive spicy flavour.

Origin: Essex UK, 1785

Pollination: D'Arcy Spice is self-sterile and would require a pollinator to produce a crop.Find pollination partners >

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D'Arcy Spice apple trees for sale

Sorry we have sold out of this variety for this season.

History and description of D'Arcy Spice

D'Arcy Spice was found in the garden of The Hall, Tolleshunt d’Arcy, Essex, in about 1785 but possibly older. Introduced in 1848 by John Harris, nurseryman of Broomfield, near Chelmsford, Essex as Baddow Pippin. A late dessert apple needing plenty of autumn sunshine to bring out its full flavour. The fruit hangs well on the tree and keeps well in storage. It is traditionally not picked until Guy Fawkes Day (5th November) and then stored before use.

Medium sized fruit, oblong, rather irregular, distinctly ribbed and five crowned. Tough dry, greenish yellow skin sometimes with a trace of reddish-brown flush. Many dark ochre russet patches. The flesh is white tinged green, firm and juicy. It has a distinct spicy, nutmeg-like flavour.

A very slow growing tree. Produces spurs fairly freely. Erratic cropper.

Characteristics of D'Arcy Spice apple trees

UseDessert
ColourRusset
FlavourSpicy
Fruit sizeMedium
Picking timeLate Oct
Season of useDec-May
Tree vigourModerate
Tree habitUpright-spreading
Fruit-bearingSpur-bearer
CroppingErratic
Disease resistanceScab - Resistant
Mildew - Resistant
Canker - Resistant
Suitable forLate Frost
Wet Regions
Pollination date14
Pollination groupD
Self-fertilitySelf-sterile
PollinatorsPollination partners
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