Blenheim Orange

• Picking season: Late
• Country of origin: United Kingdom
• Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
• Flowering group: 3

Blenheim Orange is a popular large English heritage apple variety, widely grown in gardens. It has the characteristic orange flush which is often associated with English apples. Although it can be eaten fresh, it is best considered a culinary apple, and it cooks to a stiff puree.

Blenheim Orange makes a good feature tree in a larger garden.

Malus domestica

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Blenheim Orange apple trees for sale

• 11-year maiden bare-root tree 24.45€
  M26 rootstock
  Medium size (2.5m-3m after 10 years)
  

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• 21-year maiden bare-root tree 24.45€
  MM106 rootstock
  Large size (3m-4m after 10 years)
  

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• 31-year maiden bare-root tree 24.45€
  M25 rootstock
  Full size size (4.5m-6m after 10 years)
  

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Next deliveries

Deliveries resume December 2020

How to grow

Blenheim Orange produces a large vigorous tree, with unusually dense wood.

It is a triploid variety so will not pollinate other apple trees.

This is long-lived variety which takes a while to get into its stride. Victorian author Hogg, writing at the end of the 19th century noted that Blenheim Orange noted, "... when it becomes a little aged, it bears regular and abundant crops".

History

Blenheim Orange is believed to date back to early 18th century. It was discovered at Woodstock in Oxfordshire, and named after the nearby Blenheim Palace. The parentage is unknown.

Blenheim Orange characteristics

• Picking seasonLate
• CroppingGood
• Keeping1-2 months
• Fruit persistenceNormal ripening
• Useful forEating freshCulinaryDual purpose
• Cooking resultPuree
• Gardening skillExperienced
• Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
• Flowering group3
• Pollinating othersPoor
• PloidyTriploid
• VigourVery vigorous
• PrecocitySlow to start bearing
• Bearing regularityBiennial tendency
• Fruit bearingPartial tip-bearer
• Disease resistanceAverage
• CankerVery resistant
• MildewSome resistance
• ScabSome resistance
• Climate typeTemperate climates
• Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Cold (< 20C / 67F)
• Frost resistance of blossomSusceptible
• Country of originUnited Kingdom
• Period of origin1700 - 1749
• Fruit colourOrange flush
• AwardsRHS Award of Garden Merit