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(A) Scarlet Pimpernel

Selection:

Collection of orders by arrangement preferred but online orders also accepted for despatch usually within 5-7 working days.

A very pretty apple of bright scarlet almost covering the yellow ground. Crisp, juicy and pleasantly sweet though refreshing, this is one of the earliest varieties. Suitable for eating straight from the tree late July and throughout August.

A very productive cultivar, some thinning is necessary in years of over abundance to ensure a crop the next year. Origins - U.S.A. 1944.



Pollinators include Greensleeves, Discovery, Redsleeves, James Grieve, Egremont Russet, Beauty of Bath, Merton Knave.

SELECT THE BEST 'SCARLET PIMPERNEL' TREE FOR YOUR GARDEN

Miniature tree 'rootstock M27'



This is ideal for a small garden and is also the best choice for container growing. The very smallest stock of all, easily maintained at around 6' in height and with a similar spread. Plant 6-8'apart. Ideal for growing in a small lawn, the garden border [can be underplanted with annual flowers or herbs] and perfect for a 20" container. Crops early in life.

Crops can be expected 1-2 years after planting.



Yield estimate: 12-24ib's according to variety with a required area of 72 x 72" minimum.



Dwarfing tree 'rootstock M9'



Dwarfing equals a tree of about 8' in height; the spread is usually the same. This tree is often preferred over more vigorous stocks for commercial orchard planting these days, as it is precocious and heavy cropping and can be planted at higher density. It's great for smallish gardens too, lawn planting, or for a larger container. Crops early in life; plant trees 8' apart. No ladders are needed to harvest the weighty crop. Crops can be expected 1-2 years after planting.



YIELD ESTIMATE: 25-40ib's according to variety with a required area not less than 84" x 84"



Semi-vigorous 'rootstock M26' trees



A good compromise between a dwarf and a more vigorous tree. Heavy crops on a tree ideal for grass or orchard planting, adaptable to most soils. Matures to a height of 10-12' with the same spread. Plant about 12' apart.



Crops can be expected 2-3 years after planting.

YIELD ESTIMATE: 60ib's average with a required area of 10 x 10' minimum.



Vigorous 'rootstock M106'



More of a traditional orchard style tree, making a handsome large specimen of 12-15' and the spread is the same so allow 15' between trees. Excellent for less inspiring soils, heavy crops can easily be achieved once established.

Crops 2-3 years after planting.



YIELD ESTIMATE: 90ib's+ with required area of 14x14' minimum.



Very vigorous 'rootstock M25'



Not for the faint hearted as this tree can mature to 20' or more but where the requirement is for a very large tree then it will grow vigorously and quickly. Plant 20' apart. Ladders required for harvesting.



Crops 3-4 years after planting.

YIELD ESTIMATE: 120ibs+ with a minimum required area of 18x18'



A half standard tree is a tree on the M106 stock but it is a year older when it comes to you. Conversely this does not necessarily mean it will fruit more quickly because being older it will often receive a bit of a 'check' after planting, but it will be a more substantial looking tree on planting and it will already have a trunk clearance.



Crops usually 2-3 years after planting.



YIELD ESTIMATE: 90ib's+ with required area of 14x14' minimum.



Cordon trees



Are just ideal for planting against a fence or wall, and can also be grown with a post/wire support system. You only need to allow about 30" between trees so they make good use of a limited space & are heavy cropping considering, and also quite precocious. Easy to prune and maintain, early into crop - often recommended as a better tree than fan/espalier trees for the less experienced as pruning is less involved and the trees need much less space. Cordon trees are supplied on M9 stock and grow to 6-8' in height but do not spread. They can be planted the traditional way, at a 45 degree angle, or upright.



Crops 1-2 years after planting.



YIELD ESTIMATE: 6-10ibs with a required area of 30x30" approx.



Mini Cordon trees



Are cordon trees grown on a smaller rootstock, M27. This allows for a slightly more compacted planting ratio and the tree will be slightly shorter and more slender in appearance, but they need good hearty soil to perform at their best.



Crops often the first year after planting.



YIELD ESTIMATE: 5ib's with a required area of 24x24".



Fan & Espalier trees



Often sought for wall planting as they grow flat. A fan has an outline rather like a dove tail, whereas an espalier has one main upright stem with laterals produced from it usually in 3 sets up the main trunk. Both have the same application & both need 6-8' in height and the same spread. Plant 6-8' apart.



Crops 2-3 years after planting.



YIELD ESTIMATE: 30-35ibs approx.



A stepover tree



Is the very smallest of all trees. It has a very short trunk of barely 18" with two laterals which grow flat at the top, in a shape rather like a capital 'T' Stepover trees are usually used for edging a border or lawn, and whilst crops are usually quite light the fruits produced are large and well flavoured because they receive nearly all the available sunlight. A setpover can also be grown against a low wall which would otherwise be too short for a traditional fan or espalier tree - under a window for example. Although very short, stepovers do spread lengthways a bit so allow 5-6' between trees.

Crops 1-2 years after planting.



YIELD ESTIMATE: 3-5ibs with a required area of 18 x 72" approx.



Supercolumn trees



Are the most convenient and easy to prune trees for smaller gardens or where an intensive growing system is required. Supercolumns allow for a wide variety to be planted in a small area and have many applications around the garden. Plant just 2' apart, in a row as free standing trees, or to align a path or walkway. They can be grown in 18" containers, or used against archway or pergola. The growth is upright and slender, the fruits are borne all up the stem. Very easy to maintain and recommended to beginner and more experienced alike. The height is controllable but 6-8' is usual.



Crops often the first year, or 1-2 years after planting.



YIELD ESTIMATE: 5-8ibs with a required area of 24x24"



Cropping time & yield is an estimate and can vary with conditions. Yield estimates based on mature trees.



DESPATCH & PLANTING



We despatch all year round, usually within 3-5 working days of receipt. Trees are supplied bare-root Autumn-Spring and in containers/ex container from late Spring to Autumn.



(A) Scarlet Pimpernel

For an explanation of the various apple rootstocks and choices available click here

Our Apple Trees are available in the following

  • Miniature tree (M27 Rootstock)
  • Dwarf Tree (M9)
  • Semi Vigorous Tree (M26)
  • Vigorous tree tree (M106)
  • Very vigorous tree (M25)
  • Cordon Tree
  • Mini Cordon Tree
  • Supercolumns
  • Stepover Tree
  • Half Standard
  • Espaliers
  • Fans

Sending a tree through the post isn't easy, so our parcels are expertly packed to keep your goods in the best condition. There is no surcharge on the delivery of larger parcels/orders.

Tree size as supplied varies but is usually between 3.5' - 4.5' on despatch. A few varieties might be slightly smaller, some a little bigger, of course it does vary but this is a good average. WE SUPPLY YOUNG TREES - and are proud to do so. Although we are sometimes requested to supply older/bigger trees, the percieved advantages are outwighed by disadvantages! Older trees take longer to establish and will fruit no more quickly. The young trees we send out grow away and establish so quickly and healthily & often yield within 1 season of planting. Our customers even report fruits the first year of planting! All professional fruit growers prefer to plant young trees rather than older.

Our soft fruit bushes are usually 2 years old.
Everything is stringently graded, grown on the nursery and well packed!

  • No need to be in - You can request your parcel to be left in a safe place, or stipulate an alternative delivery address, at the checkout.
  • Free 16 page booklet with every order dealing with all aspects of fruit growing.

Gold Standard Health & Quality

Chris Bowers' Gold StandardWe have in place very rigorous standards for the health, providence and uniformity of all our fruiting plants & trees. Our Nursery and the stock we grow is inspected and passported for health regularly by DEFRA experts [formerly the Ministry of Agriculture] and we have in place our own stringent controls and inspection programmes to ensure our fruiting bushes and trees are the best, most disease free stocks available and truly beyond compare.

We always propagate from certified stock where this exists and have the highest standards regarding providence and grading. If only the very best will do - as it should - then you can rely on a Chris Bowers fruiting plant to give the most exemplary results available. We firmly believe that only the very healthiest stock can and does produce vastly superior results - and it shows.

Our Guarantee

We are proud of each & every plant & tree we despatch from our Nursery. If it fails to thrive or live up to your expectations we will replace or refund it. This is in addition to your statutory rights. We may rarely ask for details of care and cultivation given to it, or arrange for a return of the item for inspection, to assist in our own programme of improvement.