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Ribston Pippin apple tree

Ribston Pippin
Ribston Pippin has received the RHS Award of Garden MeritRibston Pippin is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Late
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
  • Pollination group: 3

A particuarly handsome apple, thought to be one of the parents of Cox's Orange Pippin. It has some of the aromatic qualities of that variety when eaten fresh, but is noticeably sharper in flavor - and for this reason is often used in the kitchen as well.

By Victorian times Ribston Pippin was very popular as a late fall apple, and the Victorian fruit enthusiast Robert Hogg reported that it was in "greatest perfection during November and December".

Ribston Pippin apple trees for sale

  • Semi-dwarf 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
    Mature height: 8ft-12ft after 10 years
    Semi-dwarf rootstock
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How to grow

The main horticultural challenge is that Ribston Pippin is a triploid variety and needs two other trees nearby which must each be of separate varieties. It is far happier in a drier climate than a wet one.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

Named after Ribston Hall in North Yorkshire, England, where this variety was first planted in the 18th century. Having been grown in Yorkshire for more than 200 years Ribston Pippin is rightly regarded as a traditional Yorkshire variety, however it was almost certainly brought to Ribston Hall from France.

Ribston Pippin characteristics

  • Gardening skillAverage
  • Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
  • Pollination group3
  • Pollinating othersPoor
  • Picking seasonLate
  • UsesEating freshCulinary
  • Keeping (of fruit)1-2 months
  • General resistanceAverage
  • Cold hardiness (USDA)Zone 4 (-34C)
  • Summer maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
  • Country of originUnited Kingdom
  • Period of origin1700 - 1749
  • Fruit colorOrange flush