An interesting new variety developed by UK apple enthusiast Hugh Ermen, Winter Gem is a cross between Grimes Golden and Cox's Orange Pippin, and has a good aromatic flavor.
Grimes Golden is not that well-known in the UK but is the probable parent of Golden Delicious. Some enthusiasts reckon that Grimes Golden is a better apple than Golden Delicious, it has the same sweetness but with a bit more richness. This means that Winter Gem inherits characteristics from two of the most influential apple families in the world, and if you appreciate apple flavors it is well worth trying.
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Unlike either of its parents, Winter Gem is well-suited to UK gardens - indeed this is a characteristic of many varieties developed by Hugh Ermen.
It can be a light cropper (although this is perhaps part of the reason for its good flavor). Make sure there are suitable pollination partner varieties nearby - Red Devil, Srumptious, Falstaff, Saturn and Charles Ross would be good choices. In other respects it is quite easy to grow.
Winter Gem works particularly well as a small tree on a dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstock. On more vigourous rootstocks it tends to produce a large tree with not much fruit.
Winter Gem is a cross between Grimes Golden and Cox's Orange Pippin, and was developed in the UK by Hugh Ermen.
