Description
First described in 1883, this is a lovely summer cooking apple - cooks to a juicy puree, and is sweet enough that there is no need for any added sugar. The round, medium sized fruit are light green, turning a soft butter yellow when fully ripe. Compact in growth, tough and hardy, and grows well even in damp climates. An excellent choice for an early season apple.
It's probably safe to assume an East Lothian origin; those first recorded in 1883 came from Tyninghame Gardens of that region. The date is significant, often seen attached to apples of the Victorian tradition, though many are much older. It was the year of the National Apple Congress, held at Royal Horticultural Society's Chiswick Gardens, with the aim of resolving the proliferation of names, and of selecting the best range of apples for British Growers, then faced with enormous competition from French, Canadian and particularly American growers. East Lothian Pippin is a medium-sized, sweet, green culinary apple, to be picked in late summer and eaten soon after. This and other Scottish apples are finding their way in small quantities to local farmers' markets and orchard gate sales." © Lin Hawthorne - 'The Northern Pomona'.
For help with choosing the correct rootstock for your needs, please click here A Guide to Rootstocks
For help with choosing the correct size and shape, please click here A Guide to Fruit Tree Shapes