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Laxton's Superb

Laxton's Superb

Laxton's Superb is a classic English dessert apple from the Victorian era, still widely grown in gardens and small orchards in England. The apples have the orange/red flush which is characteristic of many English apple varieties. The flavor is basically sweet, and the flesh is firm rather than crunchy. All in all, a typical Victorian apple.

One of the parents of Laxton's Superb is Cox's Orange Pippin, and it is often grown in England as a Cox-substitute. The appearance and flavor are quite close to Cox's Orange Pippin but the tree is hardier and better-cropping.

Laxton's Superb apple trees for sale

  • 11-year maiden bare-root tree 33.45€
    M26 rootstock
    Medium size (2.5m-3m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
  • 21-year maiden bare-root tree 33.45€
    M116 rootstock
    Large size (3m-4m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
  • 31-year maiden bare-root tree 33.45€
    MM106 rootstock
    Large size (3m-4m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
  • 41-year maiden bare-root tree 33.45€
    M25 rootstock
    Full size size (4.5m-6m after 10 years)
    Out of stock
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How to grow

Laxton's Superb is a good apple variety for the garden. It blossoms quite late which can be useful in areas subject to spring frosts, and the tree is fairly disease resistant (although it can be affected by scab). The tree is quite easy to identify (even without apples on it) owing to its weeping growth habit and long whippy branches.

The main problem with Laxton's Superb is a tendency towards biennial bearing, which means it will produce a good crop one year and then hardly anything the next. If you notice this occurring you can alleviate it by deliberately over-thinning in the "on year", although many owners just put up with it.

Laxton's Superb produces a strong-growing tree, and is therefore best grown on a less vigorous rootstock for smaller gardens.

History

Developed by the famous Laxton Brothers nursery in Bedford, England, and introduced in 1897. A cross between Cox's Orange Pippin and Wyken Pippin.

Laxton's Superb characteristics

  • Gardening skillAverage
  • Self-fertilityPartially self-fertile
  • Flowering group4
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • PloidyDiploid
  • Bearing regularityBiennial tendency
  • Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
  • Picking seasonLate
  • CroppingHeavy
  • Keeping1-2 months
  • Useful forEating fresh
  • Disease resistanceAverage
  • Climate typeTemperate climates
  • Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Cold (< 20C / 67F)
  • Country of originUnited Kingdom
  • Period of origin1850 - 1899
  • Fruit colourOrange / Red