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Simple bare root fruit trees and ornamental trees

Meridian

Meridian apples
Meridian is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators

Meridian is a good example of the modern English dessert apple, and an excellent choice for the garden. It is unfortunately not that well known, and deserves to be more widely-planted.

Meridian is a cross between Cox's Orange Pippin and Falstaff, and inherits the best qualities of both varieties. Meridian is a notably juicy apple, typical of Falstaff (and other varieties descended from James Grieve).

The flavour is very good, with plenty of sweetness but a good balance of sharp acidity as well - this is a variety that will appeal to most tastes.

Meridian apple trees for sale

  • 1-year bare-root tree on MM106 rootstock£34.95
    Mature height: 3m-5m after 10 years
    Can be trained on as a large free-standing apple tree, a half-standard apple tree, a large apple fan or espalier, or a pleached apple tree.
    Available next season

Growing and Training

Meridian is easy to grow, crops heavily, and has good disease resistance. It crops reliably in most seasons


Recommended pollinators for Meridian apple trees

Meridian is not self-fertile, so you will need another different but compatible variety planted nearby in order to produce fruit. The following varieties are good pollinators for Meridian. If you are not sure about pollination requirements don't hesitate to ask us.

  • Pollinator Evereste
    Evereste
    Evereste is one of the most well-known crab-apples, featuring white blossom and red-yellow fruits.
  • Pollinator Fiesta
    Fiesta
    Fiesta (or Red Pippin) is one of the best Cox-style apples, easy to grow, with a good aromatic flavour.
  • Pollinator Gorgeous
    Gorgeous
    Malus Gorgeous has pink/white blossom and spherical cherry-like red fruits which are good for jelly.
  • Pollinator Greensleeves
    Greensleeves
    Greensleeves is a reliable and popular mid-season green/yellow apple, easy to grow and productive.
  • Pollinator James Grieve
    James Grieve
    James Grieve is the classic Scottish dual-purpose apple. It can be eaten fresh, and is also excellent for juicing and cooking.
  • Pollinator Katy
    Katy
    Katy is an attractive and versatile early apple variety from Sweden, very easy to grow.
  • Pollinator Red Devil
    Red Devil
    Red Devil is a good apple variety for the UK garden, and produces a sweet red-tinted juice.
  • Pollinator Red Falstaff
    Red Falstaff
    Red Falstaff is one of the best garden apple trees, heavy crops, easy to grow, and very juicy.

History

Developed at East Malling Research Station in Kent during the late 20th century as an alternative to Cox's Orange Pippin - which is one of its parents. However in many respects it is closer to its other parent, Falstaff.


Meridian characteristics

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • Fruit persistenceNormal ripening
  • Self-fertile?Not self-fertile
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • Pick seasonMid
  • Picking periodmid-September
  • Keeping2-3 weeks
  • Food usesEating freshJuice
  • Country of originUnited Kingdom
  • Period of origin2000
  • Fruit colourOrange / Red

You might also like these varieties

  • See also James Grieve
    James Grieve
    James Grieve is the classic Scottish dual-purpose apple. It can be eaten fresh, and is also excellent for juicing and cooking.
  • See also Lord Lambourne
    Lord Lambourne
    Lord Lambourne is a popular versatile garden apple variety, with a good balance of sweet and sharp flavours.
  • See also Red Devil
    Red Devil
    Red Devil is a good apple variety for the UK garden, and produces a sweet red-tinted juice.
  • See also Red Windsor
    Red Windsor
    Red Windsor is one of the easiest to grow of all dessert apple trees, and with a pleasant apple flavour.

More about apple trees

Apples are very versatile, and all varieties can be eaten or used in the kitchen. However varieties specifically grown as eating apples tend to have the best flavours for eating raw.

The main thing to decide when choosing an eating apple is when you intend to eat the apples. Early season apples are typically ready in August, and generally don't keep very long. Mid-season apples are ripe in early September, while late-season apples start to become ripe in late September and October. Many of the late-season varieties can also be stored in a fridge or cold shed for several months into the winter.

Some apple varieties are self-fertile, but most are not. However in most areas of the UK you do not need to worry whether your apple trees are self-fertile or not, as there will be other apple trees in nearby gardens to help with pollination.


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