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Discovery

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

Discovery is probably the most well-known early English apple variety, ripening in late August.

It is grown commercially on a small scale in the UK, but it has a very short shelf-life, and shop-bought apples can be disappointing if not picked at exactly the right time. For this reason Discovery is definitely a variety that is better grown in the garden, and preferably eaten straight from the tree - although it will keep in a fridge for a week if necessary.

In some years there is a hint of strawberry flavor, which adds to the summery appeal.

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Discovery apple trees for sale

  • 11-year maiden bare-root tree 24.45€
    M26 rootstock
    Medium size (2.5m-3m after 10 years)
  • 21-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

Discovery is very easy to grow, and has good disease resistance. Being an early-season apple, it can ripen in a short growing season and is therefore a good choice for northern areas.

History

Discovery is a seedling of another popular English early apple, Worcester Pearmain, found in Essex, UK, in 1949.

Discovery characteristics

  • Picking seasonEarly
  • CroppingGood
  • Keeping1 week
  • Fruit persistenceNormal ripening
  • Useful forEating freshJuice
  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Flowering group3
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • PloidyDiploid
  • VigourAverage vigour
  • Bearing regularityRegular
  • Fruit bearingPartial tip-bearer
  • Disease resistanceGood
  • CankerSome resistance
  • ScabVery resistant
  • Climate typeTemperate climatesMild damp climates
  • Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)Hot (>30C / 86F)Cold (< 20C / 67F)
  • Frost resistance of blossomGood resistance
  • Country of originUnited Kingdom
  • Period of origin1900 - 1949
  • Flower colourWhite
  • Fruit colourRed
  • AwardsRHS Award of Garden Merit