Spring 2024
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Spartan

A popular dark red dessert apple. Heavy cropper and easy to grow.

Origin: Canada, 1926

Pollination: Spartan is self-fertile and a pollinator is not necessary for producing a crop.  Pollination partners

We are now closed for the season. Ordering for winter 2024/25 will be enabled from Wednesday 1st May 2024.

History and description of Spartan

Raised in 1926 from McIntosh x Yellow Newtown Pippin by R C Palmer at the Dominion Experiment Station, British Columbia, Canada. Introduced in 1936. An important commercial variety grown in North America and elsewhere. Grown on a small scale in the UK.

Medium sized, round-conical fruit. Dark maroon flush over a pale yellow skin. White, crisp, juicy flesh. Sweet but with some acidity. Vinous flavour. Needs to be left on the tree for as long as possible for the flavour to develop. Keeps well but flavour fades in storage.

Moderately vigorous, free spurring tree. Heavy cropper requiring thinning to avoid small fruit. Resistant to scab and mildew but rather prone to canker.

Characteristics of Spartan apple trees

UseDessert
ColourRed
FlavourVinous
Fruit sizeMedium
Picking timeEarly Oct
Season of useNov-Jan
Tree vigourModerate
Tree habitUpright-spreading
Fruit-bearingSpur-bearer
CroppingHeavy
Disease resistanceCanker - Very susceptible
Scab - Resistant
Mildew - Very resistant
Suitable forDry Regions
Late Frost
Northern Britain
Pollination date12
Pollination groupD
Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
PollinatorsPollination partners
ParentageMcIntosh Red