Spring 2024
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Ellison's Orange

Intensely aromatic Cox like apple with an aniseed flavour. A good alternative to Cox for northern Britain.

Origin: Lincolnshire UK, 1904

Pollination: Ellison's Orange is partially self-fertile and would produce some crop without a pollinator but would benefit considerably from a pollinator.  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 Ellison's Orange

Raised from Cox's Orange Pippin x Calville Blanc in the last years of 19th century by the Rev C C Ellison of Bracebridge, Lincolnshire, UK and his brother-in-law's gardener Mr Wipf. First recorded in 1904. Pennell & Son of Lincoln bought grafts of the tree and introduced the variety in 1911. Received an Award of Merit in 1911 and a First Class Certificate in 1917 from the RHS. Planted commercially in the UK in the 1920-30's. No longer grown commercially but remains a popular garden variety particularly as a substitute for Cox.

Medium, round-conical fruit. Brownish red flush and stripes over a greenish yellow skin. Small russet patches. Creamy white flesh. Crisp and juicy. Intense aromatic flavour similar to Cox. The aniseed flavour to which the literature often refers is not always very noticeable and certainly not unpleasant. At its best Ellison's Orange can surpass Cox in flavour.

Moderately vigorous tree. Resistant to scab and mildew but susceptible to canker. Partially self-fertile, heavy cropper but with some biennial tendency. Very attrctive blossom. Good alternative to Cox for northern Britain but best avoided in humid locations because of suceptibility to canker.

Characteristics of Ellison's Orange apple trees

UseDessert
ColourFlushed
FlavourAromatic
Fruit sizeMedium
Picking timeMid/Late Sep
Season of useSep-Oct
Tree vigourModerate
Tree habitUpright-spreading
Fruit-bearingSpur-bearer
CroppingGood
Disease resistanceCanker - Susceptible
Scab - Very resistant
Mildew - Very resistant
Suitable forDry Regions
Hardy
Late Frost
Northern Britain
Special featuresAttractive Blossom
Pollination date13
Pollination groupD
Self-fertilityPartially self-fertile
PollinatorsPollination partners
ParentageCox's Orange Pippin
ProgenyLynn's Pippin
Merton Beauty
St Ailred