James Grieve
James Grieve is a justifiably popular dual-purpose apple variety, raised in Scotland at the end of the 19th century, the height of the Victorian period of apple development in the UK. It is a very juicy apple, producing plenty of sharp-tasting apple juice.
James Grieve is a mid-season variety that is picked in early-mid September. At this stage it is pleasantly acidic and refreshing and if it is too sharp for eating it can be used for cooking (cut it into small chunks, it keeps its shape when cooked). After a few weeks the flavour sweetens and becomes quite mild, and it is then an excellent apple to eat in slices along with a cheese course. The flesh is soft, somewhat like a firm pear in texture.
James Grieve is an excellent pollinator for many other apple varieties.
James Grieve apple trees for sale
RF12-year bare-root
tree
on M9 rootstock£43.00
Mature height: 1.5m-2.5m after 10 years
Suitable for growing a small bush-trained dwarf apple tree, will need a permanent stake.
Available next season
RF21-year bare-root
tree
on M26 rootstock£34.95
Mature height: 2m-3.5m after 10 years
Suitable for a semi-dwarf apple tree, a medium apple spindlebush, a medium apple fan or espalier, a large apple cordon or U-cordon.
Available next season
RF32-year bare-root
tree
on M26 rootstock£43.00
Mature height: 2m-3.5m after 10 years
Suitable for a medium bush-trained semi-dwarf apple tree.
Available next season
RF42-year bare-root
tree
on MM106 rootstock£43.00
Mature height: 3m-5m after 10 years
Suitable for a large bush-trained free-standing apple tree.
Available next season
RF52-year half-standard bare-root
tree
on MM106 rootstock£46.50
Mature height: 3m-5m after 10 years
Suitable for a free-standing half-standard apple tree.
Available next season
RF61-year bare-root
tree
on M25 rootstock£35.75
Mature height: 5m-7m after 10 years
Can be trained on to produce a big 'standard' free-standing apple tree in a traditional apple orchard.
Available next season
Growing and Training
James Grieve is well-suited to the UK climate but does better in drier areas. In Scotland it does better on the east than the west. It is prone to premature fruit drop if grown in climates that are warmer than southern England.
James Grieve is a very useful pollinator of many other apple varieties. Not only does it produce far more pollen than most other apples, but the pollen is viable at lower temperatures than is usually the case (down to around 10C as opposed to the 15C-20C range which is most desirable for apple pollination).
Recommended pollinators for James Grieve apple trees
James Grieve is partially self-fertile, so you do not need another variety to pollinate it to produce fruit.
However you will get a better crop if you plant any of the following pollinator varieties nearby.
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
Edinburgh, Scotland 1893, probably descended from an old Scottish culinary variety Pott's Seedling.
James Grieve characteristics
- Gardening skillBeginner
- Fruit persistenceFruit drops when ripe
- Self-fertile?Partially self-fertile
- Pollinating othersGood
- Pick seasonMid
- Picking periodearly September
- Keeping1-2 months
- Food usesEating freshCulinaryJuiceHard ciderDual purpose
- Country of originUnited Kingdom
- Period of origin1850 - 1899
- Fruit colourOrange flush
You might also like these varieties
BardseyA hardy disease-resistant apple, discovered growing on an island off the west coast of Wales.
KatyKaty is an attractive and versatile early apple variety from Sweden, very easy to grow.
RosetteProbably the best-flavoured of the pink-fleshed apple varieties, and produces lovely pink juice.
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.
