Spring 2024
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Duke of Devonshire

A late russet apple with an intense sweet-sharp flavour.

Origin: Cumbria UK, 1835

Pollination: Duke of Devonshire is self-sterile and would require a pollinator to produce a crop.  Pollination partners

Duke of Devonshire 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 Duke of Devonshire

Raised by Wilson, head gardener to the Duke of Devonshire at Holker Hall, Cumbria in 1835. Introduced c1875. Popular in Edwardian times and still a valued garden apple.

Medium-sized fruit. Flat-round to short-round-conical shape. Dull green skin becoming pale golden yellow, covered with russet patches, with sometimes a slight brownish yellow flush. Creamy white flesh, tinged green. Firm and fine-textured with an intense fruit-drop flavour, and a rich nutty finish.

A spreading tree of moderate vigour. Light cropper. Prone to mildew.

Characteristics of Duke of Devonshire apple trees

UseDessert
ColourRusset
FlavourSweet-sharp
Fruit sizeMedium
Picking timeEarly/Mid Oct
Season of useDec-Mar
Tree vigourModerate
Tree habitSpreading
Fruit-bearingSpur-bearer
CroppingLight
Disease resistanceMildew - Susceptible
Scab - Very resistant
Suitable forNorthern Britain
Wet Regions
Pollination date11
Pollination groupC
Self-fertilitySelf-sterile
PollinatorsPollination partners
ProgenyPolly Prosser