apple 'Discovery'
eating / dessert apple
This upright, spreading tree is covered in pure white, cup-shaped flowers in mid and late spring, followed by crisp, juicy, red dessert apples. The tree forms a natural dome shape, and the leaves are small, toothed and dark green.
Unlike other fruiting varieties, the fruits from this tree keep well for several weeks after they're harvested in mid-August.
Pollination information: This apple belongs to pollination group 3, so you will need to plant one other different variety of apple to guarantee cross pollination, and a subsequent bumper crop. Ideally this should come from the same pollination group, however it is possible to use one from group 2 or 4 as well.
Unlike other fruiting varieties, the fruits from this tree keep well for several weeks after they're harvested in mid-August.
Pollination information: This apple belongs to pollination group 3, so you will need to plant one other different variety of apple to guarantee cross pollination, and a subsequent bumper crop. Ideally this should come from the same pollination group, however it is possible to use one from group 2 or 4 as well.
How to care for apple Discovery:
When planting your apple tree, prepare a hole up to three times the diameter of its root system. Fork over the base of the pit in readiness, incorporating plenty of organic matter into the backfill and planting hole. Place the plant in the planting hole and carefully refill, firming the soil around the roots to eliminate air pockets. Insert stake at this point if required.
Avoiding frozen and waterlogged soil, trees should be planted out as they arrive. If you've ordered a bare root tree, soak the roots in a bucket of water for half an hour prior to planting - or if this is not possible, they can be heeled in temporarily, covering their roots with soil, or potted up.
Keep the base of the tree weed free, fertilise at the beginning of each year water regularly during hot, dry spells.
The main prune should be done in the winter as long as it isn't frosty or freezing. Take out the 3D’s (dead, dying and diseased wood) and create an open shape. Then reduce the leaders back by a third. Aim to create an airy structure without any crisscrossing branches.
In August summer prune. Shorten any side shoots (or laterals) which are longer than 20cm back to three leaves. This will allow the sun to ripen the fruit and encourage more fruit buds. Make sure that the growth you’re cutting away feels firm to the touch.
Avoiding frozen and waterlogged soil, trees should be planted out as they arrive. If you've ordered a bare root tree, soak the roots in a bucket of water for half an hour prior to planting - or if this is not possible, they can be heeled in temporarily, covering their roots with soil, or potted up.
Keep the base of the tree weed free, fertilise at the beginning of each year water regularly during hot, dry spells.
The main prune should be done in the winter as long as it isn't frosty or freezing. Take out the 3D’s (dead, dying and diseased wood) and create an open shape. Then reduce the leaders back by a third. Aim to create an airy structure without any crisscrossing branches.
In August summer prune. Shorten any side shoots (or laterals) which are longer than 20cm back to three leaves. This will allow the sun to ripen the fruit and encourage more fruit buds. Make sure that the growth you’re cutting away feels firm to the touch.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
5.5m
Eventual spread:
5.5m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
-
This plant is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.
9 litre pot | MM106 root stock | 1.2m
was £79.99
now £63.99
available to order from summer
Unavailable
12 litre pot | MM106 root stock | 1m
was £149.99
now £119.99
available to order from summer
bare root | MM106 root stock | 1.2m tall
was £35.99
now £28.79
available to order from autumn
Standard Delivery£12.99
