Cider apples are not usually edible but are grown for the qualities of their juice and tend to be rich in tannins and sugars. The tannins adds bitterness to the cider and the sugar encourages fermentation, giving rise to strength. Cider apples can be divided into four groups based on the characteristics of the juice they produce.
- Sweets are low in both acidity and tannins.
- Sharps are high in acidity and low in tannins.
- Bittersweets are low in acidity and high in tannins.
- Bittersharps are high in both acidity and tannins.
Only a few varieties make a good cider on their own so cider is usually blended from several different varieties to give the best results.
We offer a range of traditional cider apples grafted onto MM106 semi vigorous rootstock. Trees will reach a maximum height and spread of 3-4m (10-13ft). To ensure rapid establishment, trees are supplied bare-rooted and will be 1.2-1.5m (4-5ft) high on despatch. Trees are available from late November to late April.
Don't forget to include tree stakes and ties on your order. All young fruit trees require staking and for better establishment we strongly advise using Rootgrow when planting (as recommended in RHS planting guidelines).

Carriage & packing charges

Despatch Dates
UPDATE 21.1.21: As a result of the pandemic we are experiencing a very high volume of orders. Delivery times are therefore taking longer than normal. Please refer to the revised schedule below.

Fruit trees, soft fruit bushes, ornamental trees & hedging (bare root)

Fruit trees & soft fruit bushes (pot grown)

Cell Grown Raspberries
Cell grown raspberries are available from late May to mid August and will usually be despatched within 14 days.

Strawberry plants (Runners)

Strawberry plants (Misted Tips)
Misted Tips are available from late August to mid October and will be despatched within 28 days.

Vegetable Plants
Vegetable plants are available from mid May to late July. As a vey rough guide, plants ordered before the end of April will usually be despatched by late May. Plants ordered after May will usually be despatched by early June.

Asparagus crowns
Asparagus crowns will be despatched from late March/early April to late May. Orders placed during this period will usually be despatched within 14 days.

Hardware

Biological Controls (Natural Predators) & Bumblebee Hives
Natural Predators and Bumble Bee hives are only despatched at the appropriate time of year (see product description for detailed information). When “in season” they are despatched direct from our supplier in batches on a weekly basis - we send orders to our supplier every Thursday and they despatch these orders Wednesday the following week. Natural Predators are sent by first class post, bumblebee hives are sent by carrier.