Apple ‘Lord Derby’

We’ve kept this one on at the nursery for years; it’s a reliable Victorian cooking apple that performs well, especially in damper, cooler parts of the country. The blossom is a real treat, starting as a deep, rich pink and opening to pale pink flowers. It produces heavy crops of large, sharp-tasting green apples that cook down beautifully for pies and purées.

This is a strong-growing tree with an upright to spreading habit. Depending on the rootstock, it can reach between 4 and 8 metres in height. It’s a hardy choice that thrives in full sun or partial shade and isn’t fussy about soil, growing well in clay, loam or sand as long as it’s moist but well-drained. Its excellent disease resistance is a real bonus.

For the best crop, plant with another apple from a similar pollination group nearby. As a spur-bearer, it needs regular pruning; tackle this in winter when the tree is dormant to maintain a good shape and remove any dead or crossing branches. It’s a classic for a reason and works wonderfully as a standalone tree in a lawn or as part of a small orchard.