Autumn 2024 planting seasonPre-order now for EU delivery December 2024 - March 2025

Melrose apple trees

Malus domestica
Melrose
Melrose is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Late
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
  • Flowering group: 3

Melrose is a well-regarded American apple, with an attractive red-flushed skin. 

Melrose is very similar to Jonathan, one of the best-flavoured American apples - and one of its parents. The other parent is Red Delicious, and its sweet flavour complements the sharper flavors of Jonathan well. 

The apples store well - they can be kept for 3 months in a fridge, and the flavour is arguably at its best after a month or so of storage.

Bio / Organic  fruit trees

Melrose organic apple trees for sale

  • 11 yeartree on M9 rootstock23.25€
    Small tree (1.5m-2.5m after 10 years) Bare-root
  • 21 yeartree on M116 rootstock23.95€
    Medium tree (2m-3.5m after 10 years) Bare-root
    Sold-out
  • 31 yeartree on MM111 rootstock23.25€
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years) Bare-root
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

Its Red Delicious parentage ensures Melrose grows vigorously and productively. Melrose has a tendency to over-crop so it is a good idea to thin the fruitlets in late May.


History

Melrose was developed in the late 1930s at the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, Wooster, Ohio, USA.

It is grown commercially on a small scale in the USA and Europe, and a number of sports exist, usually featuring better skin coloration.


Melrose characteristics

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Flowering group3
  • Disease resistanceAverage
  • Picking seasonLate
  • Season of use3 months or more
  • Food usesEating fresh
  • Cold hardiness (USDA)Zone 4 (-34C)
  • Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
  • Chill requirementHigh-chill - 1000 hours
  • Country of originUnited States
  • Period of origin1900 - 1949
  • Flesh colourCream
  • Fruit colourRed - dark

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 Jonagold
    Jonagold
    Jonagold is a high quality American apple, with a good balanced sweet/sharp flavour.

This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 2024.