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Discovery apple tree

Malus domestica 'Discovery'

Discovery has received the RHS Award of Garden MeritDiscovery is listed in the RHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking season: Early
  • Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
  • Pollination group: 3
  • Awards: RHS AGM (current)
Discovery is the definitive early-season English apple variety.
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Discovery apple trees for sale

  • Dwarf 1-year bare-root tree $37.95
    Mature height: 6ft-9ft after 10 years
    G.11 rootstock
Next deliveries

Our inventory is up to date, you can pre-order now for the spring 2024 planting season.


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

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
  • PloidyDiploid
  • Bearing regularityRegular
  • Fruit bearingPartial tip-bearer
  • WildlifeRHS Plants for Pollinators
  • Picking seasonEarly
  • UsesEating freshJuice - One of the best early-season varieties for juicing
  • CroppingGood
  • Keeping (of fruit)1 week
  • Flavor style (apples)Sweet/Sharp
  • General resistanceGood
  • CankerSome resistance
  • ScabVery resistant
  • Cold hardiness (USDA)(5) -20F / -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
  • AwardsRHS AGM (current)