Winter Gem

• Picking season: Late
• Country of origin: United Kingdom
• Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
• Flowering group: 3
• List of other varieties that will pollinate Winter Gem

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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Winter Gem 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€
  MM106 rootstock
  Large size (3m-4m after 10 years)
  

  Out of stock

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How to grow

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.

History

Winter Gem is a cross between Grimes Golden and Cox's Orange Pippin, and was developed in the UK by Hugh Ermen.

Winter Gem characteristics

• Gardening skillAverage
• Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
• Flowering group3
• Pollinating othersAverage
• PloidyDiploid
• Bearing regularityRegular
• Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
• Picking seasonLate
• CroppingGood
• Keeping1-2 months
• Useful forEating fresh
• ScabSome susceptibility
• Climate typeTemperate climates
• Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
• Country of originUnited Kingdom
• Period of origin1950 - 1999
• Flower colourPink - light
• Fruit colourOrange flush