Orchards, Trees & Orchard Produce

Some Norfolk Fruit

Dessert Apples
Admiral / Gloria from pips brought from Japan by Mr AK Watson in 1921, once known as Togo of Upton. Banns from Norwich 1928. Caroline from Blickling Hall Gardens near Aylsham 1822, named after Lord Suffield’s wife. Harling Hero raised or found by Frank Claxton, a local game dealer, from East Harling near Attleborough before 1930s. Horsford Prolific / Queen Anne found in the vicarage garden in Horsford near Norwich in early 1900s by Rev Mountford. Hubbard’s Pearmain dates from 1796, first sold by George Lindley of Catton near Norwich, popular in Norfolk gardens in 19th century. Jordan’s Weeping found growing in a garden at Horning in the Broads before 1940. London Pearmain, origin 1848, rediscovered growing at Attleborough Hall in 1948. Look East raised by Ormonde Knight at Yaxham 1971, named after the regional BBC television news programme. Lynn’s Pippin raised by William Lynn of Emneth 1942, Joan Morgan suggests Wisbech. New Costessey Seedling, planted by George Fayers at New Costessey near Norwich in 1926. Norfolk Royal found as a chance seedling at Wright’s Nurseries at North Walsham 1908. Norfolk Royal Russet found growing in garden of Rev C Wright at Burnham Overy Staithe and introduced in 1983. Park Farm Pippin, a new variety named after the farm on the Royal Sandringham Estate. Red Falstaff, East of England Apples and Orchards Project suggests found growing at Woodlands Orchard, Ashill near Swaffham by Michael Rowe in 1989, while Joan Morgan suggests it is a sport of Falstaff from East Malling Research Station, Kent. St Magdalen / Magdalene found growing at Wiggenhall St Mary near Downham Market in the orchards of H Bridge in 1890. Sandringham raised by Mr Penny, Head Gardener at Sandringham 1883.

Cooking Apples
Dr Harvey / Harvey, probably from East Anglia. Five Crowned Pippin / London Pippin, may be from 1500s. Known as London Pippin in Somerset, sold in Norfolk in 1700s as a Norfolk variety. Golden Noble discovered at Stow Bardolph Hall near Downham Market in 1820 by Patrick Flannagan, gardener at Stowe Hall. Hanworth Codlin, a seedling found in gardens of Hanworth Rectory near Aylsham 1948. Morley’s Seedling raised by Charles Morley of Fordham. Joan Morgan says Ely, Cambs, before 1928. Norfolk Beauty raised by Mr Allan, Head Gardener at Lord Suffiled’s Gunton Hall near North Walsham 1901. Norfolk Beefing, the earliest record thought to be 1698 from Mannington Hall estate, may be from France or Holland. Keeps well, purple flush, very popular in Norwich up to the 1950s, sold dried and coated in sugar, and ideal baked to make Biffins, best eaten after Christmas and can last until May or June. Robert Blatchford raised by F Chilvers at Hunstanton, introduced 1914. Named after the editor of the Clarion who taught at High House School, Heacham. Striped Beefing found growing in garden of Crowe of Lakenham near Norwich 1794 by George Lindley, nurseryman. Summer Broaden / Norfolk Summer Broadend recorded in 1800s as being popular in cottage-gardens. Vicar of Beighton thought to be from a seedling at Beighton near Acle, probably raised by Rev Alfred Fellows, introduced 1890s. Winter Majetin, thought to be from Norfolk. East of England Apples and Orchards Project suggests earliest record Norfolk 1734.

Dual Purpose Apples
Adam’s Pearmain, unknown if arose in Norfolk or Herefordshire where it is known as Hanging Pearmain. From a scion of wood from Norfolk sent to the Horticultural Society in London in about 1826. Baxter’s Pearmain from Norfolk, introduced 1821 by George Lindley, nurseryman of Catton near Norwich. Captain Palmer, a seedling found at Gissing near Diss, 1900, grown locally in early-mid 20th century. Dutch Mignonne, probably from Holland, introduced by Thomas Harvey of Catton Hall, near Norwich in 1771. Green Roland, probably from East Norfolk in 1800s, known as Norfolk Green Queen, and also as John Shreeve around Rollesby, planted in WWII in East Anglia during sugar rationing as it needs little sugar, cooks to firm puree. Herbert Eastoe raised by Herbert Eastoe at New Costessey in 1948. Hunter’s Majestic raised before 1914 by Miss E Balding of Upwell near Wisbech, grown commercially in Fens in 1930s. Leeder’s Perfection raised by Mr Leeder of Postwick near Norwich 1917.

Other Apples
Beachamwell, Foulden Pearmain, Horsham Russet, Norfolk Coleman, Winter Broadend.

Pears
Blickling from Lord Suffield’s Blicking Hall Gardens near Aylsham 1898, already an old tree. Hacon’s Incomparable from Downham Market but stories differ: may have been a seedling growing in a baker’s yard in 1792, found by Mrs Rayner, or may have been propagated from Rayner’s Norfolk Seedling by JG Hacon around 1814. Robin, may be a renamed London Sugar, now thought to be lost, in catalogue of George Lindley of Catton, Norwich 1796 and still found in Norwich markets.

This list was compiled using many sources including the East of England Apples and Orchards Project county gazetteers, and The New Book of Apples by Joan Morgan and Alison Richards (Ebury Press 2002).

For more information and a list of ‘lost’ varieties of Norfolk contact the East of England Apples and Orchards Project on +44(0)1328 838403 or see their web-site.

Please get in touch with any additions or corrections