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Bloody Ploughman

There are numerous stories about the origins of this well-known Scottish apple. In essence the variety arose as a seedling, allegedly near the grave of a ploughman who had been shot by a gamekeeper for stealing apples (or perhaps something more valuable). The knobbly skin is indeed a crimson-red colour, and this is also a variety where the flesh can sometimes be stained red as well.

Bloody Ploughman is often considered an eating apple in Scotland, but south of the border tends to be regarded as a cooker!

Malus domestica

Bloody Ploughman apple trees for sale

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

Deliveries resume December 2020

How to grow

There are numerous stories about the origins of this well-known Scottish apple. In essence the variety arose as a seedling, allegedly near the grave of a ploughman who had been shot by a gamekeeper for stealing apples (or perhaps something more valuable). The knobbly skin is indeed a crimson-red colour, and this is also a variety where the flesh can sometimes be stained red as well.

Bloody Ploughman is often considered an eating apple in Scotland, but south of the border tends to be regarded as a cooker!

Bloody Ploughman characteristics

  • Picking seasonMid
  • CroppingGood
  • Keeping1-2 months
  • Useful forCulinaryJuiceHard cider
  • Gardening skillAverage
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Flowering group4
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • PloidyDiploid
  • VigourSlightly large
  • Bearing regularityRegular
  • Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
  • Disease resistanceAverage
  • Climate typeTemperate climatesMild damp climates
  • Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Cold (< 20C / 67F)
  • Country of originUnited Kingdom
  • Period of origin1850 - 1899
  • Flower colourPink - light
  • Fruit colourRed / Green