Apple 'Winter Gem'

A relatively modern UK-bred dessert apple that is becoming a firm favorite for late-season interest. 'Winter Gem' produces medium-sized fruits with a beautiful pinkish-red flush over a green-gold skin. The flavour is exceptional—rich, sweet, and aromatic with a crisp texture. One of its best features is its late-season ripening and excellent storage life; harvested in October, the fruit can be kept until Christmas and often into late January, with the flavour actually improving in storage. The tree is moderately vigorous and has a neat, upright habit, making it suitable for modern gardens. It is not self-fertile and requires a pollination partner from group 3. The spring blossom is a lovely pale pink. It is generally easy to grow and shows good resistance to most common apple diseases. It performs best in a sunny position to develop the characteristic skin colour.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained, fertile loam.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: Apr, May.