Description
Introduced in the 1840s by William Brownlee of Hemel Hempstead, this late dessert apple was prized by the Victorians for its intense sweet-sharp highly aromatic fruit. The trees are moderately vigorous, and bear strikingly attractive blossom, with carmine buds opening to pink, and cropping is generally good. Commended by the Backhouse nursery, and despite its Hampshire origins, it is reputed to do well in the north of England.
"So unassuming an appearance masks extraordinary virtue, and this apple - the apple equivalent of the birdwatcher's LBJ (little brown job) — would surely be better known if just a little prettier; as far as considerations of its beauty are concerned, praise is usually highest for its blossoms that open to deep pink from deeper carmine buds. There is appeal in its silvered russet though, but it is for its flavour that the connoisseur values Mr William Brownlee's russet, which he raised in 1848; it is possessed of that elusive aromatic peardrop flavour, sweet-sharp and nutty, and those of refined palate detect other notes ...
“A third group is that of the Russets which have a peculiar "fennel" flavour; Brownlee's Russet and Reinette Grise de St-Ogne show this in marked degree”
E.A. Bunyard, the Anatomy of Dessert, 1933.
Well known in France, in eastern Europe and the former USSR, it was recommended by the Backhouse Nursery despite its Hampshire origins, does surprisingly well in northern British orchards, and in wetter regions." © 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