Apple Tree 'Bloody Ploughman'

from £34.95 34.95 In Stock New

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2 year old tree on M26 rootstock | bare root (120-150cm)

Code: APL080£34.95

Pre-Order for delivery by end of December 2025.

Cordon on M26 rootstock | bare root (120-150cm)

Code: APL080C£37.95

Pre-Order for delivery by end of December 2025.

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Malus domestica 'Bloody Ploughman'

First recorded in 1883, there is an interesting story behind the name of this well-known Scottish apple. It originates from the Carse of Gowrie where allegedly a ploughman was shot dead by a gamekeeper for stealing apples from the Megginch Estate. When the ploughman's body was returned to his wife she found some of the stolen apples in his pockets and got rid of them on the rubbish heap. One of the seedlings that subsequently grew produced apples that were blood red in colour and the tree gave rise to the cultivar that was named after the unfortunate ploughman. The fruits are crisp and juicy and when fully ripe can darken to an almost purple colour. The flesh is often stained red which makes it a good variety for juicing and it can also be used to produce cider. It is often considered a dessert apple in Scotland, but the flavour is not particularly sweet and in England it tends to be regarded as a cooker. It makes lovely apple sauce and beautiful pink pies and crumbles. The tree is disease resistant and hardy, performing well in colder areas of the UK.

Pollination: Group C.

Season: mid Sept - Nov.

Pre-Order for delivery by end of December 2025.

Culinary apples are those that can be cooked with. They tend to be larger than dessert apples and are not immediately edible – unless you like your apple very tart. The ‘cooking’ process makes all the difference; the result is a change to texture and a mellowing of flavour that is perfect for pies and tarts. Dual-purpose apples are those that can be cooked early in the season but become sweeter in storage, making them suitable for dessert use from late winter onwards.

Our apple trees are grafted onto M26 semi-dwarfing rootstock, which will produce a tree that is easy to grow, easy to control and easy to pick.

Apple trees on M26 rootstock can be grown in several different forms:

Bush apple trees on M26 will typically grow to 2.4-3.6m (8-12ft) in height and spread.
If space is limited, consider growing cordons. These columnar trees should be restricted to 1.8m-2.4m (6-8ft) in height and can be spaced 60cm (2ft) apart. They can be grown as vertical cordons (just use a stake to support them) or oblique cordons (against a wall or fence). They are also perfect for container growing.
You can also train an apple tree as an espalier or fan against a wall or fence or as a stepover (a low growing tree that you can simply 'step over'). For any of these forms you will need to start off with a one year old tree (only available in selected varieties).

Bare root trees are only available when they are fully dormant (usually from late November/December until late March). Where we quote a height on despatch, this includes the root system.

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

Our standard delivery charge to mainland UK is £9.95. Some items (where stated) are p&p inclusive. If you are only ordering items that are p&p inclusive, the standard delivery charge does not apply.

Some deliveries to the Scottish Islands, parts of Scotland, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Scily Isles may incur surcharges. If a surcharge is applicable, you may not be able to complete your order online. Please telephone us on 01255 440410 for a delivery quotation.

We regret that due to Brexit we are no longer able to deliver to Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the rest of Europe.

Despatch Dates

We regret we are unable to give precise delivery dates as weather conditions can affect the despatch schedule. The following information (which applies to orders placed online and over the phone) should only be used as a guide and on the understanding that we may not be able to keep to these dates precisely. Please note, delivery usually takes longer when payment is made by cheque.

If you have any specific requests concerning the timing of your delivery (e.g. if you are likely to be going away on holiday) please let us know. It is not usually possible for us to bring forward delivery dates but we can delay the despatch of your order from the normal run.

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

Bare root fruit trees, soft fruit bushes, ornamental trees and hedging are available from late November/December until late April.

Orders placed before the 30th November will usually be despatched by mid/late December.

Orders placed between 1st December and 31st December will usually be despatched late December/January.

Orders placed after the 1st January will usually be delivered within 28 days of the order being placed.

Fruit trees & soft fruit bushes (pot grown)

Pot grown fruit trees, gooseberries and currants are available April to late August and will usually be despatched within 14 days.

Blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, elderberries, honeyberries, lingonberries, figs, goji berries and grapes are normally available throughout the year. If ordered April to late September they will normally be despatched within 14 days unless ordered with plants that are due to be despatched at a later date. Under these circumstances, to avoid additional carriage charges, the entire order will be sent together when everything is available. Outside this period, delivery may take up to 28 days or longer if ordered with plants that are due to be despatched at a later date.

Cell Grown Raspberries

Cell grown raspberries are available from May to late July and will usually be despatched within 14 days.

Strawberry plants (Runners)

Unless otherwise stated in the product description, fresh dug strawberry plants will be despatched from mid October to late November. Coldstored strawberry plants will be despatched from March to late June. Orders placed during these periods will usually be delivered within 28 days. Some varieties are only available as coldstored plants (see product description for availability).

Strawberry plants (Premium Potted Plants)

Premium Potted Strawberry Plants are available from mid September to late November and are despatched within 10 days.

Vegetable Plants

Vegetable plants are available from mid May to late July. As a very 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 April to late May. Orders placed during this period will be despatched within 28 days.

Hardware

Hardware is usually despatched within 14 days unless ordered with plants that are due to be despatched at a later date.

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 12pm Tuesday and they despatch these orders Wednesday the following week. Natural Predators are sent by first class post, bumblebee hives are sent by carrier.

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