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Discovery apple trees

Malus domestica
Discovery has received the RHS Award of Garden MeritDiscovery is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Early
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
  • Flowering group: 3

Discovery is probably the most well-known early English apple variety, ripening in late August. It is very easy to grow, and has excellent natural disease resistance.

The apples have a brisk sharp flavour and in some years there is a hint of strawberry.

Discovery also excels as a variety for juicing, as it produces a very well-balanced sweet/sharp juice

Bio / Organic  fruit trees

Discovery organic apple trees for sale

  • 1Maidentree on M9 rootstock 20.95€
    Small tree (1.5m-2.5m after 10 years) Bare-root
  • 2Maidentree on M116 rootstock 20.95€
    Medium tree (2m-3.5m after 10 years) Bare-root
  • 3Maidentree on MM111 rootstock 20.95€
    Large tree (3m-5m after 10 years) Bare-root
  • 4Maidentree on Bittenfelder rootstock 20.95€
    Very large tree (5m-6m+ after 10 years) Bare-root
    Sold-out Sorry we have sold out for this season
Delivery countries
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Growing and Training

Discovery is very easy to grow. Being an early-season apple, it can ripen in a short growing season and is therefore a good choice for northern climates. It is also good choice for growers in areas of high rainfall. Although a very "English" apple, Discovery is known to be very cold-hardy, and able to tolerate temperatures much lower than those usually found in the UK.

A characteristic of Discovery is that the tree will often drop quite a lot of apples near maturity. It's best to wait a bit longer if you can, rather than taking this as a cue to start picking.

Discovery is also one of the best varieties for organic growers or gardeners who do not want to spray their trees - it has excellent natural disease resistance. The apples are invariably clean with a good finish.


Discovery characteristics

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Flowering group3
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • PloidyDiploid
  • Fruit bearingPartial tip-bearer
  • Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesMild damp climates
  • Picking periodmid-August
  • Picking seasonEarly
  • Season of use1 week
  • CroppingGood
  • Food usesEating freshJuice - One of the best early-season varieties for juicing
  • Disease resistanceGood
  • ScabVery resistant
  • CankerSome resistance
  • Country of originUnited Kingdom
  • Period of origin1900 - 1949
  • Fruit colourRed