Discovery apple tree

Malus domestica 'Discovery'

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• Picking season: Early
• Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
• Pollination group: 3

Discovery is probably the most well-known early English apple variety, ripening in late August. It is very easy to grow, and has excellent natural disease resistance.

Discovery is grown commercially on a small scale in the UK, but it has a very short shelf-life, and shop-bought apples can be disappointing if not picked at exactly the right time. For this reason Discovery is definitely a variety that is better grown in the garden, and preferably eaten straight from the tree - although it will keep in a fridge for a week if necessary.

In some years there is a hint of strawberry flavor, which adds to the summery appeal.

Discovery also excels as a variety for juicing, as it produces a very well-balanced sweet/sharp juice

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Discovery apple trees for sale

You can pre-order for spring 2025

• Dwarf 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
  Mature height: 6ft-9ft after 10 years
  Dwarf rootstock
  

  Out of stock
  

How to grow

Although a very "English" apple, Discovery is known to be very cold-hardy, and able to tolerate temperatures much lower than those usually found in the UK.

A characteristic of Discovery is that the tree will often drop quite a lot of apples near maturity. It's best to wait a bit longer if you can, rather than taking this as a cue to start picking.

Discovery is also a good choice for organic growers or gardeners who do not want to spray their trees - it has good natural disease resistance. The apples are invariably clean with a good finish.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

Discovery is a seedling of another popular English early apple, Worcester Pearmain, found in Essex, UK, in 1949.

Discovery characteristics

• Gardening skillBeginner
• Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
• Pollination group3
• Pollinating othersAverage
• Picking seasonEarly
• UsesEating freshJuice - One of the best early-season varieties for juicing
• Keeping (of fruit)1 week
• General resistanceGood
• CankerSome resistance
• ScabVery resistant
• Cold hardiness (USDA)Zone 5 (-29C)
• Summer maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)Hot (>30C / 86F)Cold (< 20C / 67F)
• Country of originUnited Kingdom
• Period of origin1900 - 1949
• Fruit colorRed