Bardsey

Bardsey Island Apple is a rare rediscovered Welsh heritage dessert apple with a distinctive lemon aroma and sweet, juicy flavour.

This unusual variety gained recognition from a single ancient tree surviving on the remote island of Bardsey off the Welsh coast.

Features:

• Unique lemon-scented aroma
• Sweet, juicy dessert apple
• Medium-sized attractive fruits
• Excellent eaten fresh from the tree
• Rare Welsh heritage variety
• Good keeping qualities for a dessert apple
• Associated with historic monastic orchard traditions
• Naturally hardy coastal survivor

Origins / Notes

Discovered in 1999 as a single gnarled old apple tree growing near the remains of a 13th-century abbey on Bardsey Island, off the tip of the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales.

The tree is believed to be the last surviving remnant of the island’s historic monastic orchard. The variety was subsequently propagated and preserved due to its rarity and excellent fruit quality.

Storage

Keeps well for up to 3 months in good cold storage conditions while maintaining flavour and texture. Excellent eaten fresh directly from the tree.

Disease Resistance

Notably disease free in its original island environment and considered naturally resilient in cultivation. 

Pollination-season

Mid-season flowering

Harvest-season

Mid to late harvest season, typically during October.

Please refer to our Rootstock Guide for more information.