Old Varieties

Celebrating and remembering old fruit and vegetable varieties

You are here: Home / Archives for Class Certificate

Class Certificate

Apple – Ellison’s Orange

The Ellison’s Orange apple  was raised by the Reverend. C.C. Ellison at Bracebridge and Mr. Wipf, gardener at Hartsholme Hall in Lincolnshire, England.

Ellison's Orange
Ellison's Orange

First records of the Ellison’s Orange date back to 1904, being introduced by Pennells Nurseries, Lincolnshire in 1911.

The RHS gave it an Award of Merit in 1911 and a First Class Certificate in 1917.

Fruits have soft juicy flesh with a striped red skin.  It is noted to have a rich, strong aniseed flavour when ripe.



Uses: Desert
Parents: Female – Cox’s Orange Pippin x Male – Calville Blanc
Flowers: Mid to late May
Picking: Mid September
Natural Storage: September to October

The Ellison’s orange apple can be found growing in the orchards of Acorn Bank House, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.
Young trees available from Adams Apples




Bramley’s Seedling

The Bramley’s Seedling apple is a triploid, raised around 1809 – 1813 by Mary Ann Brailsford in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, England.

Bramley's Seedling
Bramley's Seedling

It was introduced by Nurseyman H. Merryweather in 1865 and first exhibited in 1876, receiving a First Class certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1893.

By far the most popular culinary apple in the UK and the variety most often found on supermarket shelves.

The fruit is a green/yellow with a strong acid flavour.  A vigorous grower.



Uses: Culinary
Parents: Unknown
Flowers: Mid May
Picking: October
Natural Storage: October to March.

The Bramley’s seedling apple can be found growing in the orchards of Acorn Bank House, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.
Young trees available from Adams Apples

Apple – Charles Ross

The Apple Charles Ross was raised by it’s namesake, a gardener at Welford Park Gardens, Newbury, Berkshire.

Charles Ross
Charles Ross

First exhibited in 1890 as Thomas Andrew Knight ( Then President of the Royal Horticultural Society) but renamed Charles Ross at the request of his employer, Captain Carstairs in 1899.

The apple won the RHS Award of merit and a first class certificate in 1899.

Fruits are rather course in texture, juicy and sweet with a moderate flavour.  The skin bears an orange / red flush.

Easy to grow and scab resistant, this apple bakes well and is a valued garden apple.

Uses: Dual purpose (mainly desert)
Parents: Female – Peasgood Nonsuch x Male – Cox’s Orange Pippin
Flowers: Mid May
Picking: Mid September
Natural Storage: October to December.

The Apple Charles Ross can be found growing in the orchards of Acorn Bank House, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria.