Rosemary Russet
Malus domestica Rosemary Russet is highly-regarded classic English dessert apple.
Although considered a "russet", the extent of russeting is usually quite limited, and the skin is predominantly a pale green largely covered with an attractive orange flush.
The cream-coloured flesh is firm rather than crisp, with a well-balanced sharp-sweet flavour.
Rosemary Russet 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
Rosemary Russet is easy to grow and generally problem-free. It is heavy-cropping but left un-checked it tends to produce very small apples, so this is a variety that repays active thinning of the fruitlets in May, to increase the size of the remaining ones.
Recommended pollinators for Rosemary Russet apple trees
Rosemary Russet 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 Rosemary Russet.
If you are not sure about pollination requirements don't hesitate to ask us.
EveresteEvereste is one of the most well-known crab-apples, featuring white blossom and red-yellow fruits.
FiestaFiesta (or Red Pippin) is one of the best Cox-style apples, easy to grow, with a good aromatic flavour.
GorgeousMalus Gorgeous has pink/white blossom and spherical cherry-like red fruits which are good for jelly.
GreensleevesGreensleeves is a reliable and popular mid-season green/yellow apple, easy to grow and productive.
KatyKaty is an attractive and versatile early apple variety from Sweden, very easy to grow.
Red DevilRed Devil is a good apple variety for the UK garden, and produces a sweet red-tinted juice.
Red FalstaffRed Falstaff is one of the best garden apple trees, heavy crops, easy to grow, and very juicy.
SaturnAn attractive modern English apple, crisp flesh and an excellent flavour.
History
Rosemary Russet was first mentioned in 1831 by a nursery in Middlesex, however it is certainly somewhat older than this. DNA testing in 2022 by Reading University established that Rosemary Russet was a parent of Cox's Orange Pippin - in hindsight the similarities are quite obvious.
Rosemary Russet characteristics
- Gardening skillBeginner
- Self-fertile?Not self-fertile
- Pollinating othersAverage
- Pick seasonLate
- Picking periodearly October
- Keeping3 months or more
- Food usesEating freshJuice
- Country of originUnited Kingdom
- Period of origin1800 - 1849
- Fruit colourRusset
You might also like these varieties
Egremont RussetEgremont Russet is the most popular English russet variety, and a good apple tree for the garden.
Herefordshire RussetHerefordshire Russet is a modern russet apple variety, with an excellent strong Cox-like flavour.
Saint Edmund's RussetNot as well known as other russets, St. Edmund's Russet is nevertheless one of the best.
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.
