Winter 2025 planting seasonPlease order soon, deliveries finish in February.

Alkmene apple trees

(Early Windsor)

Malus domestica
Alkmene apples
Alkmene has received the RHS Award of Garden MeritAlkmene is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Mid
  • Self-fertility: Self-fertile
  • Flowering group: 2

Alkmene was developed in Germany in the mid-1930s, and has a good quality aromatic flavor, very reminscent of its parent, Cox's Orange Pippin.

It is quite widely grown in England and Europe, where it is regarded as a good alternative to Cox, being easier to grow and much more reliable.

 

Bio / Organic  fruit trees

Alkmene organic apple trees for sale

  • 11 yeartree on M9 rootstock25.95€
    Small tree (1.5m-2.5m after 10 years) Bare-root
  • 21 yeartree on MM111 rootstock25.95€
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years) Bare-root
    Sold-out
EU delivery countries
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • France
  • Germany
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Slovakia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
Delivery chargesClick here to view estimated delivery charges.

Growing and Training

Alkmene grows in a compact style, making it a good choice for small gardens. It is also self-fertile - quite a rare quality among apples - and does not require another apple tree nearby for pollination.


History

Alkmene is a cross between Cox's Orange Pippin and Duchess of Oldenburg, and was developed in Germany in the 1930s. It is sometimes known as Early Windsor.


Alkmene characteristics

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
  • Flowering group2
  • Disease resistanceGood
  • Picking seasonMid
  • Season of use2-3 weeks
  • Food usesEating fresh
  • Cold hardiness (USDA)Zone 5 (-29C)
  • Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)Cold (< 20C / 67F)
  • Country of originGermany
  • Period of origin1900 - 1949
  • Fruit colourOrange / Red

Similar varieties

  • See also Cabarette
    Cabarette
    A traditional very-late season dessert apple, found in northern France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
  • See also Cox's Orange Pippin
    Cox's Orange Pippin
    Cox is widely acknowledged as having the best flavour of any apple variety.
  • See also GoldRush
    GoldRush
    A modern disease-resistant apple, like Golden Delicious but with a better tart/sweet balance. Good for eating fresh and juicing / cider.
  • See also Red Windsor
    Red Windsor
    Red Windsor is one of the easiest to grow of all dessert apple trees, and with a pleasant apple flavour.