Fruit and Nut
Fruit Price List 2020/21 |
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| Unit price (euro) | ||||||
| 1 tree | 2 trees | 3-9 trees | 10-49 trees | 50-199 trees | 200+ trees | |
Barerooted trees/bushes (supplied November 2020-April 2021) |
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| Apple 1yr MM106, M111, M25, cider | n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
15.50
|
13.40
|
12.40
|
| Apple 1yr M116, cider | n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
16.75 |
14.65 |
13.50 |
| Apple 1yr MM106, M111, M25, eaters,cookers | n/a |
20.00 |
18.00 |
16.75 |
14.65 |
13.50 |
| Apple 2yr M9 bush trained, eaters | n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
19.00 |
16.70 |
14.60 |
| Apple 2yr M26, MM106, bush trained, eaters, cookers | n/a |
24.00 |
22.00 |
20.00 |
17.50 |
15.70 |
| Apple 2yr straight leads MM106, M25, eaters, cookers, cider | n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
24.00 |
21.60 |
19.50 |
Apple 2yr half standards MM106, M25 eaters, cookers, cider |
n/a |
33.00 |
30.00 |
27.00 |
P.O.A. |
P.O.A. |
| Apple 3yr half standards, MM106, M25 eaters, cookers, cider | 40.00 |
36.00 |
33.00 |
30.00 |
P.O.A. |
P.O.A. |
| Cherry 1yr (Gisela/Colt/F.12.1 | n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
19.00 |
16.70 |
15.00 |
| Cherry 2yr (Gisela/KrymskColt/F.12.1 | 30.00 |
27.00 |
24.70 |
22.60 |
P.O.A. |
P.O.A. |
| Damson/Bullace 1yr (Brompton/St Julien A) | 25.00 |
22.50 |
20.70
|
19.00
|
16.70
|
15.00
|
| Damson/Bullace 2yr (Brompton/St Julien A) | 30.00
|
27.00
|
24.70
|
22.60
|
P.O.A.
|
15.70
|
| Medlar 1yr (Quince A) | n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
15.50 |
P.O.A. |
P.O.A. |
| Medlar 2yr (Quince A) | 26.00 |
23.50 |
21.00 |
19.00 |
P.O.A. |
P.O.A. |
| Mirabelle 1yr (St Julien A) | 25.00 |
22.50 |
20.70
|
19.00
|
16.70
|
15.00
|
| Mirabelle 2yr (St Julien A) | 30.00
|
27.00
|
24.70
|
22.60
|
P.O.A.
|
15.70
|
| Pear 1yr (Quince A, pyrus) | n/a |
21.00 |
19.00 |
17.00 |
14.90 |
13.60 |
| Pear 2yr bush (Quince A, pyrus) | n/a |
24.00 |
22.00 |
20.00 |
17.50 |
15.70 |
| Pear 2yr straight leads (Quince A, pyrus) | 31.50 |
29.00 |
26.50 |
24.00 |
21.60 |
19.50 |
| Pear 2yr half standards (Quince A, pyrus) | 36.00 |
33.00 |
30.00 |
27.00 |
P.O.A. |
P.O.A. |
| Plum/gage 1yr (Brompton/St Julien A) | 25.00 |
22.50 |
20.70
|
19.00
|
16.70
|
15.00
|
| Plum/gage 2yr (Brompton/St Julien A) | 30.00
|
27.00
|
24.70
|
22.60
|
P.O.A.
|
15.70
|
| Quince 1yr (Quince A) | n/a |
n/a |
21.00 |
18.00 |
15.70 |
14.60 |
| Quince 2yr (Quince A) | n/a |
n/a |
26.00 |
22.60 |
P.O.A. |
P.O.A. |
| Aronia 2yr 60-100cm | n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
4.00 |
3.60 |
| Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) 100-140cm | 24.00 |
22.00 |
20.00 |
17.80 |
P.O.A. |
P.O.A. |
| Cornus kousa chinensis 100-140cm | 24.00 |
22.00 |
20.00 |
17.80 |
P.O.A. |
P.O.A. |
| Crab apples named varieties, maidens | n/a |
n/a |
20.00 |
18.00 |
15.70 |
14.60 |
| Eleagnus (Eleagnus umbellata) 2yr 60-100cm | n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
2.50 |
2.00 |
1.50 |
| Sea Buckthorn, named varieties 1yr 30-50cm | n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
4.00 |
3.45 |
3.00 |
| Sea Buckthorn, named varieties 2yr 50-80cm | n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
5.90 |
5.40 |
4.90 |
Items smaller than 120cm can be sent by post. Taller items must be shipped by pallet crate or collected from our premises * For wholesale prices (50 or more trees), the minimum number of any one variety is normally 10 trees |
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Container-grown trees/bushes (supplied all year round subject to availability) |
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| Aronia, named varieties, (Aronia prunifolia) 2 yr P9* | n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
2.90 |
2.60 |
2.35 |
| Aronia, named varieties, (Aronia prunifolia) 3 yr, 2.5l | 10.00 |
9.00 |
8.00 |
7.20 |
6.50 |
5.90 |
| Aronia, named varieties, (Aronia prunifolia) 4 yr, 5l | 14.00 |
12.50 |
11.20 |
10.00 |
9.20 |
P.O.A. |
| Blueberry, named varieties, P9 container * | n/a |
n/a
|
n/a
|
3.65
|
3.30
|
2.95
|
| Blueberry, named varieties, 2l container * | 10.00 |
9.00
|
8.10
|
7.20
|
6.50 |
5.90 |
| Cranberry, named varieties, P9 container * | n/a |
n/a
|
n/a
|
3.30
|
3.00
|
2.70
|
| Cranberry, named varieties, 2l container * | 10.00 |
9.00
|
8.10
|
7.20
|
6.50 |
5.90 |
| Elderberry, named varieties, P9 container * | n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
3.65 |
3.30
|
2.95
|
| Elderberry, named varieties, 3l container | 10.00 |
9.00 |
8.10 |
7.20 |
6.50
|
5.90
|
| Lingonberry, named varieties, P9 container * | n/a |
n/a
|
n/a
|
3.30
|
3.00
|
2.70
|
| Lingonberry, named varieties, 2l container * | 10.00 |
9.00
|
8.10
|
7.20
|
6.50 |
5.90 |
| Mulberry, named varieties, 7l container 100-140cm | n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
30.00
|
27.00
|
P.O.A.
|
| Mulberry, named varieties, 12l container 120-160cm | 60.00
|
55.00
|
50.00
|
45.00
|
P.O.A.
|
P.O.A.
|
| Rubus Betty Ashburner, P9 container * | n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
2.60
|
2.35 |
| Rubus pentalabus, 1.3l container * | n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
3.60 |
3.00 |
2.70 |
| Sea Buckthorn, named varieties P9 container * | n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
4.30 |
3.85 |
| Sea Buckthorn, named varieties 3l container * | 10.00 |
9.00 |
8.10 |
7.20 |
6.50 |
5.90 |
| * all the items marked with an asterix can be shipped, but will usually be removed from their containers. The other items are for pallet crate delivery or collection only. | ||||||
What if you can't decide which fruit trees you want?
Tables showing pollination groups, harvest time, storage potential, usage and disease resistance of all the apple, cherry, damson, pear and plum varieties in our stocklists
Pollination, Fruit Use and Disease Resistance
Stock information
Fruit trees and fruit bushes are listed separately, in alphabetical order. The first listings are the new items for 2015/16
New Lines 2020/21
Cranberries (vaccinium macrocarpum)
Long cultivated for its tart purple-red berries, popular in cranberry sauce, the American cranberry requires moist, free draining acidic ground to do well. Providing those conditions are met, it is very easy to grow.
Large scale commercial producers construct special beds that can be briefly flooded several times a year. This helps reduce certain pests (generally only a problem in large scale production), control weeds and also facilitates harvest. However, for the small scale producer, cranberries can be easily grown on wide, slightly raised beds. An established bed will yield 1-2kg (occasionally 3kg) per m² (10-20t/ha).
For best results, the water table should be maintained at 30-60cm below the ground surface. The American cranberry does not thrive in permanently waterlogged or very dry ground. The ideal pH is 4.0-5.0 (upper limit 5.5)
We offer the following varieties
Early Black, vigorous, adaptable to many soil types, berries dark red, fruits early in season, very good storage life. One of the most popular varieties in the US.
Bergman, mid season variety, compact growing and highly productive. Red berries, fruits large with good storage capability. Good disease resistance. Very good variety for home production. Strongly recommended.
Pilgrim, a late high yielding variety with blueberry size purple-red berries, popular in the United States since the 1960s and now grown commercially in Europe. This variety cropped well at our former trial site at Cooloughra.
We believe the cranberry has massive potential in Ireland. Although trialled in the 1980s and 90s by Bord na Mona, the idea at the time was to compete on international markets. Given the two hundred years of experience and know-how of the North American producers, and their huge scale of production this was always somewhat optimisitic!
However, for niche Irish markets, the cranberry is a potential winner. In the United States, cranberries are planted in vast monocultures and are routinely sprayed with fungicides and pesticides (with serious environmental implications). For the small scale or low density producer, cranberries are perfectly suited to organic methods. Cranberries combine well with aronia and apple for a sugar-free cranberry sauce.
Cowberry/Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)
Closely related to the cranberry, the cowberry is native to many European countries including Ireland. It is cultivated on a large scale in many countries, notably Sweden, Finland, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands. The berry is similar to the cranberry but sweeter and less astringent. It prefers drier, well drained acid land but is much more tolerant of wind than the cranberry and will do well in Atlantic coastal regions. To the best of our knowledge it is not cultivated in Ireland.
We offer the following varieties:
Koralle. Light red berries, highly productive and reliable cropper. Slightly fussier in its soil requirements (requires very well drained soil)
Red Pearl. Dark red berries, more tolerant of less-than-ideal soil conditions but yields can be more variable.
Both varieties are highly ornamental.
Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Many people will be familar with the common native elder (Sambucus nigra), the berries of which have long been used for used in wine-making, pies and preserves.
For the 2020/21 season, we are offering the following large berried cultivated varieties:
Haidegg 13
Precocious and high yielding Austrian variety from the research station of the same name. Among the largest fruiting of the Sambucus nigra cultivars. Ultimate height 3m+. Yield on mature plants: 15-20kg
Korsør
High yielding Danish variety. Ultimate height 3m+. Large sweet berries (sweeter than Haidegg 17). Begins cropping at about year 3. Yield on mature plants: 12-15kg
Quantities will be limited so order early to avoid disappointment.
Fruit trees - Full List
Apples - general information
Apples are generally not self fertile so will require a pollinator from the same or adjacent pollination group. For example:a cultivar (variety) in pollination group 3 will require a pollinator from groups 2, 3 or 4. Triploids require a pollinator from the same or adjacent pollination group but will not provide reciprocal pollination. Hence the pollinator of a triploid requires its own separate pollinator.
Months listed refer to the eating period if the apple is stored in cool conditions. Some apples will keep considerably longer in optimum storage conditions.
Rootstocks
Cultivars listed below are available on a range of different rootstocks: M27 rootstock is ultra dwarfing, will produce very small trees; M9 is dwarfing and is the modern standard for high density orchards or small gardens. M26 is somewhat more vigorous, MM106 more vigorous still, used in larger gardens and the more traditional orchards especially cider ones. M116 is a new rootstock that is between M26 and MM106, but with better disease resistance. M25 and M111 are very vigorous, will produce really big trees. M25 is sometimes used for cider. M111 is more resistant to wet soils.
Generally speaking, the more vigorous the rootstock, the greater adaptability to poor soils. More information can be found on our rootstock information page.
Please refer to the table in the catalogue for a summary of which varieties are available on which rootstocks.
Apples - Eating and Cooking Varieties
Bardsey
Dual purpose apple discovered growing wild on Ynys Enlii (Bardsey Island). Tasty eater when fully ripe. Growing at the Sustainability Institute premises since 2005. September to October. Pollination group 2.
Bramley's Seedling
Justifiably famous cooker producing large crops of large well flavoured fruit. Hardy and vigorous. Moderately high in vitamin C (16mg/100g). Good for juice or cider production. October to March. Pollination group 3 but triplod. Nottingham 1809
Brownlee's Russet
Tasty eater with ornamental blossom. Aromatic, nutty flavour. Resistant to scab and canker. October to March (excellent storage). Pollination group 2. Herefordshire 1848
Charles Ross
Dual purpose apple: sweet for easting but good for baking, cider making and juicing. Hardy and very resistant to scab. September. Pollination group 2/3. Berkshire 1890
Cornish Aromatic
Old favourite with very good resistance to canker and scab. One of the most suitable varieties for high rainfall areas. October to February. Pollination group 3. Cornwall 1813
Coul Blush
Cooker/Eater. Hardy and disease resistant variety from Northern Scotland. Yellow streaked with red. Juicy and crisp. September. Pollination group 2. Rosshire 1827
Court of Wick
Small juicy eater. Good flavour. Resistant to scab and canker. Good for juice production. October to December. Pollination group 3
Court Pendu Plat
Very old eating apple from France dating back to medieval times. Small, tasty, slightly pineapple flavoured fruit. Resistant to scab. November to January but will sometimes keep to May in good storage conditions. Pollination group 5. Performs well in poor growing conditions
Crawley Beauty
Cooker. Resistant to scab and canker. November to February. Becomes sweet late season. Pollination group 5. Sussex 1850
D'Arcy Spice
Spicy eater with hint of nutneg. Also good for juice production. Resistant to scab and canker Very long keeper. November to May. Pollination group 3. Performs well in coastal locations. Essex 1785
Discovery
Eater. August. Possibly the tastiest of the early apples. Crisp with slight hint of strawberry. Bright red with pink coloured flesh. Does not keep. Homegrown ones are much tastier than the ones found in the shops. Pollination group 2/3. Essex 1949
Downton Pippin
Eater. Sometimes used for cider. Small and juicy with intense flavour. September to October. Pollination group 2. Shropshire c1800.
Edward VII
Cooker (Golden Noble x Blenhein Orange). Makes good puree. Upright tree. Resistant to scab. November to March. Pollination group 5. Worcester 1906. Said to be suitable for forest gardens as survives with minimal pruning
Egremont Russet
Tasty eater. Resistant to scab and canker hence suitable for high rainfall areas. October to December. Pollination group 2. Sussex 19th Century
Fiesta
Popular eater, Cox's parentage. Aromatic sweet and crisp. Tree often has weeping form, ornamental. September or October, keeps till January. Pollination group 3. Kent 1972.
Gennet Moyle
Cooker. Also used for cider (bittersweet). Resistant to scab. Very strong grower. September to October. Pollination group 2. Triploid. Herefordshire 18th Century
Gladstone
Very early eater once wider planted in Ireland. Large fruit sometimes prone to cracking. Scab and canker resistant. Raspberry flavour. August but sometimes ripens by late July. Pollination group 3. Worcester 1860
Greensleeves
Eater. Resistant to scab and canker. Crisp and juicy. October to December. Good pollinator for other varieties. Pollination group 3. Kent 1966.
Grenadier
Reliable early cooker (James Grieve x Golden Delicious). Not a good keeper so needs to be used soon after picking. Very resistant to scab and canker so suitable for high rainfall areas. August/September. Good pollinator for other varieties. Pollination group 3. Buckinghamshire 1875
Herefordshire Russet
Eater. Recent introduction, popular with organic growers. Aromatic, very good quality fruit, flavour similar to Cox. Reliable cropper, long keeper. Mid-October to March. Pollination group 3. Kent 2002.
Honeycrisp
Eater. The only North American apple variety on our lists. Large exceptionally jucy fruit, sweet but mild in flavour (some apple connoisseurs might find it a little bland). It grows very well in Nova Scotia, Canada, out-cropping most other varieties. Also noted for it's very good storage qualities. October, will store till March or April. Pollination group 3. Minnesota 1988.
Katja (syn Katy)
Tasty eater (James Grieve x Worcester Pearmain). Very reliable cropper. Also good for juicing and cider. Resistant to canker. September/October. Pollination group 3. Sweden 1947
Lemon Pippin
Dual purpose. Juicy eater when fully ripe, with a hint of lemon flavour. Also good for tarts. Reputedly good for drying as does not discolour when cut. Resistant to scab. October to March. Pollination group 4. Normandy early 19th Century
Newton Wonder
Cooker. Large juicy apple good for puree. Resistant to scab and canker. September to December. Pollination group 3/4. Derby 1870
Orleans Reinette
Eater. Dry, sweet and aromatic. Good resistance to scab and canker. Also used for cooking (keeps shape when cooked). October. Pollination group 4. France 18th Century
Pitmaston Pineapple
Conical fruit with rich pineapple flavour. Eater. Can be biennial. Resistant to scab. September to December. Pollination group 3. Hereford 1785
Pixie
Eater.Small attractive fruit, yellow flushed orange or red. Sweet, aromatic. Resistant to scab. October till March. Pollination group 4. Wisley 1947
Rajka
Cooker but makes good eater when fully ripe. Small fruit but heavy cropper. Resistant to scab. Best in warm location. October. Pollination group 3. Czech republic
Red Pixie
Eater. Red version of Pixie. Very attractive fruit, popular with children. Sweet, aromatic. Resistant to scab. October till March. Pollination group 4.
Redsleeves
Eater. Crisp juicy and sweet, slightly aromatic. Resistant to scab. Good cropper. September. Pollination group 3. Kent 1986
Red Windsor
Eater. Red sport of Alkmene, parents Cox's Orange Pippin and Duchess of Oldenburg. Exceptional flavour, slightly more acid than Cox. Also highly disease resistant. . September. Pollination group 2 but regarded as self fertile. Herefordshire 1985 (Alkmene was developed in Germany in 1930).
Rev W. Wilks
Early cooker. Resistant to scab and canker. Recommended for high rainfall areas. When fully ripe can be used as an eater. August to October. Pollination group 2. Berkshire 1908
Ribston Pippin
Eater. October to January. Juicy, firm, aromatic. Rich flavour. Very high in vitamin C (31mg/100g). Also good for cooking, juicing and cider. Can be susceptible to canker. Pollination group 2. Triploid. Originally raised in Yorkshire from pip imported from France c1707. Parent of Cox's Orange Pippin.
Rosemary Russet
Eater. Aromatic with excellent flavour. Also used for juice production. Good resistance to scab and canker. October. Pollination group 3. Middlesex 1830
Rosette
Very new apple, developed by the Frank Matthews nursery in Worcestershire 2011. Best known for its reddish pink flesh with the distrinctive rosette pattern. Juicy, sweet, good flavour. Also fairly disease resistant. Very early fruiting, around mid-August. Pollination group 2.
Ross non Pareil
Eater. Intense flavoured russet grown in Ireland from a pip of French origin. Resistant to scab and canker. October to December. Pollination group 2. Rosslare, 18th Century.
St Edmund's Russet
Eater. Sweet, juicy, very tasty with touch of pear flavour. Good resistance to scab and canker. Also used for juice and cider. September. Pollination group 2. Suffolk 1875
Tickled Pink (Baya Marisa)
New variety, red skinned but more known for its unique red flesh. Generally considered a cooker (the colour keeps when cooked), great in pies. Quite disease resistant and will store to the New Year. Also used for juice (red!) and can be used as an eater when fully ripe (slightly tart). Pollination group 3. Bavaria 2005.
Tom Putt
Cooker. Vigorous. Also used for juice and cider (sharp). Very resistant to scab. September. Pollination group 3. Devon 18th Century
Yellow Ingestrie. Old variety, Orange Pippin x Golden Pippin. Firm and crisp, aromatic, exquisite flavour. September-October. Pollination group 2. Originates c 1800. Mentioned in Hogg.
Apples - Cider Varieties
Black Dabinette
Full bittersweet, astringent. Probably a sport or seedling of Dabinett. Vintage quality. Fruit dark purple-brown. Very vigorous grower. Resistant to scab. November to January. Pollination group 5. Later and more astringent than Dabinett. Somerset
Brown's
Bittersharp category. Dark red fruit. Very resistant to scab. September to October. Pollination group 4. South Devon c1900
Dabinette
Full bittersweet, astringent. Vintage quality. Resistant to scab. October to January. Pollination group 5. Regarded as one of the most reliable cider varieties. Somerset
Gennet Moyle
Bittersweet. Also used for cooking. Resistant to scab. Very strong grower. September to October. Pollination group 2. Triploid. Herefordshire 18th Century
Harry Masters
Medium to full bittersweet. Vintage quality. Good cropper but can be biennial. October to November. Pollination group 5. Somerset 19th century.
Kingston Black
Medium sharp category. Vintage quality. Aromatic, distinctive flavour. October to November. In wet areas, can be susceptible to canker and sscab. Pollination group 5. Somerset 19th century.
Major
Full bittersweet. Vintage quality. Astringent. Very vigorous, good cropper but can be biennial. September to October. Pollination group 5. Somerset 19th century.
Médaille D'Or
Full bittersweet. Sweet, fruity, very astringent. Vintage quality. One for the connoisseur. Compact tree, good cropper but branches prone to breakage. Pollination group 6 (very late). Normandy 1865.
Michelin
Medium bittersweet. Sweet, aromatic. Vintage quality. Compact tree, precocious. Usually a reliable cropper but in wet areas prone to canker. Commonly used in Ireland for industrial scale commercial cider (heavily sprayed). October to November. Pollination group 5. Normandy 1872.
Morgan's Sweet
Pure sweet category. Sweet, juicy, sometimes used as an eater. Resistant to scab. September to October. Pollination group 4. Somerset 18th Century
Somerset Redstreak
Bittersweet. Very strong growing with good resistance to scab. Can be biennial. October to November. Pollination group 5
Sweet Coppin
Pure sweet category. Strong growing but can be an irregular cropper.October to November. Pollination group 4. Devon 18th Century
Tom Putt
Generally as a cooking apple but also used in cider (sharp). Vigorous. Also used for juice. Very resistant to scab. September. Pollination group 3. Devon 18th Century
Tremlett's Bitter
Cider. Full bittersweet. Slightly susceptible to scab. October. Pollination group 2. Devon 19th Century
Yarlington Mill
Cider apple. Medium bittersweet, vintage quality. Resistant to canker. October to November. Pollination group 4. Somerset
Crab apples
Malus 'Laura'
Ruby red fruit with pink flesh. High in pectin. Ideal for crab apple jelly. Large ornamental pink flowers. Very attractive tree, good for bees.
Cherries
Bare-rooted maiden trees on Gisela 5 (dwarf), Colt (semi-vigorous) or F.12.1 (vigorous) rootstock
Black Oliver
Eating cherry. Dark red to black fruit, soft and juicy. Very productive and resistant to canker. Cropping early to mid August. Not self fertile. (pollinators Stella, Sweetheart, Morello). Colt rootstock only
Celeste
Eating cherry. Large dark red fruit, sweet. Naturally dwarf habit. Cropping early to late July. Canada 1990. Self fertile. Colt rootstock only
Early Rivers
Eating cherry. Large, dark red fruit, excellent flavour. Resistant to splitting but susceptible to canker. Very early - cropping mid to late June. Sawbridgeworth 1869. Not self fertile (pollinators Merton Glory, Lapins, Noir de Guben).
Kordia
Eating cherry. Reddish-violet fruit, slightly acidic but sweet. Cropping mid to late August. Czech republic. Not self fertile (pollinators Stella, Sweetheart, Morello). Discontinued
Lapins Cherokee
Eating cherry. Dark red fruit, slightly acidic. Very productive and good split resistance. Cropping late July to early August. Canada 1984. Self fertile and very good early pollinator.
Merchant
Early eating cherry. Dark red fruit with very good flavour. Cropping early to mid July. Norfolk 1976. Not self fertile (pollinators Merton Glory, Stella, Lapins). Available only on F.12.1 rootstock
Meteor Korai
Dke cherry (dual purpose eating and cooking cherry). Duke cherry. Naturally compact but very reliable and productive. Good split and disease resistance. Cropping late June to early July. Originally from Hungary c1970 but developed in the Czech Republic. Self fertile and good early pollinator.
Merton Glory
Eating cherry. Large yellow fruit with a red flush that are often ignored by the birds. Juicy with excellent flavour. Very resistant to canker but susceptible to splitting. Cropping late June to mid July. Surrey 1931. One of our favourite varieties. Not self fertile (pollinators Black Oliver, Lapins, Merchant, Celest). Available on Gisela 5, Colt and F.12.1 rootstocks.
Morello
The most popular and reliable cooking cherry, and tolerant of a wide variety of conditions. Excellent for jams and cooking. Cropping late July to early August. Originally bred from Romanian stock. Self fertile. Available on Colt and F.12.1 rootstocks.
Noir de Guben
Eating cherry. Dark red or black fruit, juicy with good flavour. Prolific with naturally compact habit. Good resistance to splitting. Cropping late July to early August. Germany. Not self fertile (pollinators Early Rivers, Lapins, Merton Glory). Available only on F.12.1 rootstocks
Penny
Eating cherry. Very high quality almost black fruit, large and firm. Very high yielding. Good resistance to disease. Cropping late August to early September. Kent 1998. Partially self fertile (pollinators Stella, Sweetheart). Available on Gisela 5 and Colt rootstocks
Petit Noir
Eating cherry. The name relates to the size of the tree not the fruit, which is large and black. Good flavour. Cropping August. Self fertile. Available only on Colt rootstock
Regina
Eating cherry. Reddish-black sweet and aromatic fruit. Some split resistance but rather prone to canker. Spreading tree. Cropping mid to late July. Germany. Not self fertile (pollinators Stella, Sweetheart, Morello). Discontinued
Skeena
High quality eating cherry. Dark red fruit, sweet with good flavour. Spreading tree. Cropping early to mid August. Canada 2000. Self fertile.
Stella
A large dark and juicy eating cherry with good flavour. Very reliable - still one of the best self fertile eating cherries. Cropping mid to late July. Canada 1968. Self fertile, good late pollinator. One of our most popular varieties. Available on Gisela 5, Colt and F.12.1 rootstocks.
Summer Sun
Exceptionally hardy eating cherry. Dark red fruit with exquisite taste and good texture. Crops well in cool conditions but fruit prone to splitting in wet weather.. Cropping late July to early August. Norwich 1970. Partially self-fertile (pollinators Stella, Sweetheart). Available on Colt and F.12.1 rootstocks
Sweetheart
Eating cherry. Red, firm, well flavored fruit. Large juicy fruit with great flavour and texture. Begins fruiting at young age. Heavy cropper and good resistance to cracking. Produces fruit over long period. In spite of the profusion of newer varieties, still one of the best choices. Late August to mid September. Canada 1990. Self fertile, good late pollinator. Gisela 5, Colt and F.12.1 rootstocks.
Van
Eating cherry. Large black fruit, good flavour. Compact tree. Grown in Norway. Cropping mid to late July. Canada 1944. Not self fertile (pollinators Stella, Sweetheart, Morello).
Vega
Eating cherry. Large yellowy red fruit . Less likely to be eaten by birds. Begins fruiting at young age. Cropping early to mid August. Canada. Not self fertile (pollinators Stella, Sweetheart). Available only on Colt rootstocks.
Damsons and Bullaces
Available on Pixy rootstock (dwarfing) and also on St Julien A (semi-vigorous)
Damsons
Blue Violet
Sweet and very early damson of plum quality. Suitable for eating fresh or cooking. Originates in Westmoreland in Cumbria, England. Mid to late August. Self fertile.
Delma
Early but sweet damson suitable for eating fresh or cooking. Discovered growing wild in southern England in 1997 but now recognised as a distinct variety. Late August/early September. Self fertile. St Julian A rootstock only
Farleigh Damson
Small with blue-black bloom. Extremely reliable. Normally used for cooking but can be eaten fresh if fully ripe. Kent 1820. Self fertile. Prolific and vigorous, good on difficult sites. The most reliable damson. Mid September. Self fertile. Pixy and St Julien A rootstocks
Hauszwetsche (Sweet Prune)
German variety famous for plum cake and fresh eating. Mid September. Self fertile. St Julien A rootstock only
Shropshire Prune
Small hedgerow damson usually used for cooking but very sweet when ripe. Originates Shropshire 17th Century. Mid September. Self fertile. Pixy and St Julien A rootstocks
Bullaces
Shepherd's Bullace
Small fruit similar to but slightly more acid than a damson. Generally used for cooking. Very tough and hardy, good in hedges.October. Self fertile.
Medlars
Container-grown trees (3l and 7l pots) on Quince A rootstock
Cultivars
Nottingham
Attractive small tree with weeping form. Large attractive flowers. Eat fruit raw when fully ripe or use for cooking. Harvest October
Royal
More upright tree than Nottingham. Fruit reputedly of better flavour. Harvest October
Mirabelles
Mirabelles are midway between the plum and damson, of damson size, and generally very sweet. Can be used for eating fresh or cooking. All varieties listed are available on Pixy rootstock (dwarfing) and also on St Julien A (semi-vigorous)
Countess
Dark red with yellow-red flesh. Juicy and very sweet. Excellent eating quality. August. Partially self fertile. Pollination group 1/2
de Nancy
Yellow orange with green tinges. Small fruit. Very hardy. France 16th century. Mid to late September. Partially self fertile. Pollination group 1/2.
Golden Sphere
Large yellow almost translucent fruit with golden sweet flesh. Early to mid September. Partially self fertile. Pollination group 1/2.
Gypsy
Large bright red fruit with ornage flesh. Very sweet. Early to mid September. Partially self fertile. Pollination group 1/2
Ruby
The largest of the mirabelles with peach-like flavour and red flesh. Upright in habit. Mid-late September. Partially self fertile. Pollination group 1/2
Mulberries
Grafted contaner-grown trees in 7l pots
Cultivars - European
Chelsea
Morus nigra. Old English variety. Very large black succulent fruit. More adaptable to wet clmates than Morus Alba or Morus rubra.
Cultivars - North American
Capsrum
Morus alba x Morus rubra. Grown in Norther United States and Southern Canada. Large black sweet fruit.
Carman
Morus alba x Morus rubra. Canadian variety (Ontario). Large white coloured sweet fruit. Hardy and very productive.
Illinois Everbearing
Morus alba x Morus rubra. US variety. Black fruit with good flavour. Considered to be one of the best varieties. Long fruiting season.
Italian
Morus alba x Morus rubra. Large black delicious fruit. Slightly less hardy than the other cultivars.
Ivory
Morus alba x Morus rubra. Canadian variety. Large pinky-white sweet fruit. Heavy producer.
Pears
The trees should be planted in deep, well drained and fertile soil. The month refers to harvesting/eating period. Trees are available on the rootstocks indicated. The most dwarfing is Quince C, followed by Quince A, then Pyrodwarf then Pyrus Kirchesaller and Pyrus communis
Eating and cooking varieties are generally supplied on Quince A rootstock. This is regarded as semi-vigorous. Trees should be planted 4-5m apart. However some varieties that are incompatible with quince are available only on the more vigorous Pyrodwarf, or very vigorous Pyrus communis or Pyrus Kirchensaller rootstocks.
The varieties offered are likely to do well in Irish conditions. However, pears need warmth to ripen fully and ideally should be planted in sheltered sunny positions.
Perry pears are supplied on Pyrodwarf or Pyrus communis rootstock, and should be spaced at 5-10 m. The trees are very long lived - trees planted now may still be producing fruit in two hundred years time! Perry pears need warm sites in order to ripen properly. For more information on perry pears see the link below:
Trees are normally supplied as bare-rooted maidens. Older trees can be supplied if available, please enquire.
Eating and Cooking Varieties
Baronne de Mello
Eater. Renowned for its sweetness and flavour. Hardy reliable cropper with long cropping period but needs a warm site to fully ripen. October to November. Pollination group 3. France 1847. Pyrodwarf rootstock only
Beth
Eater. Compact tree which spurs freely. Sweet melting fruit. Very suitable for small gardens. September/October. Pollination group 3. Kent 1938. Quince C and Quince A rootstocks
Beurré Hardy
Eating. Large, yellowish-green fruit, sometimes with red russet when ripe. Juicy white or pink flesh, sweet and aromatic. Very good flavour. Resistant to scab but does best on south facing wall. October. Poor pollinator (pollination group 4). France 1820. Quince C and Quince A rootstocks
Black Worcester
Cooking pear of ancient heritage. Good for stewing. Large fruit. Productive and very disease resistant. October, will keep till February. Pollination group 4. Worcester 16th Century. Pyrus rootstocks only.
Catillac
Cooking pear. Lovely flavour when slow stewed over several hours. Large fruit, green becoming green-yellow with red flush. Vigorous tree with weeping habit. Extremely hardy and disease resistant. Very long keeper. Pick October use January to April. Triploid (pollination group 4). Cadillac, France, 1665. Quince A rootstock only
Concorde
Eater. Compact tree, good for organic cultivation but fruit difficult to ripen in cool summers . Sweet and juicy. September. Regarded as being self fertile but does much better with a pollinator (pollination group 3). Kent 1977. Quince C and Quince A rootstocks, pyrus rootstocks by special request. No longer supplied (does not perform well in the west)
Conference
Eater, old favourite but needs a warm dry site to do well.. Green with some russet, sweet and juicy, reliable cropper, good on limestone soils. Quite susceptible to canker. September, keeps till November. Pollination group 3. Hertfordshire 1885. Quince C and Quince A rootstocks, pyrus rootstocks by special request. No longer supplied (does not perform well in the west)
Christie
Eater, heritage Scottish variety. Sweet and juicy. September/October. Vigorous and hardy with good resistance to scab. Pollination group 3
Doyenne du Comice
Doyenne du Comice is one of the finest pears. Juicy melting flesh with excellent flavour. However it does need a warm and sunny site. Also suitable for a tall south-facing wall. Fruit ripens October to November. Pollination group 4 (Pollinators Beth, Black Worcester, Catillac, Conference). Angers, France, 1849. Pyrus rootstocks only.
Durondeau
Eating. Conical, medium to large fruit, yellow with red flush. Sweet and juicy, slightly acid. Hardy and disease resistant, strong grower and good cropper, does well in moist climates. Another one of our favourites. Late September, will keep till January. Pollination group 3. Belgium c1811. Pyrus rootstocks only
Fontante D'Automne
Eating. High quality and reliable, resistant to scab and canker. Green turning yellow with pinkish flush and brown russet. Juicy. September, will keep till October. Pollination group 3. France 1825. Quince A rootstock only
Gorham
Eater. Hardy, disease resistant. Sweet juicy flesh, musky flavour when fully ripe. September. Pollination group 1. USA 1905. Quince A rootstock only
Humbug
Eater/cooker. Large fruit, with distinctive red and green stripes. Hardy, disease resistant. Wrongly listed by many suppliers as coming from Ukraine but is actually from the Alps, where it is known as Schweizerhose ('Swiss trousers'!). October-November. Pollination group 3. Quince A rootstock only
Invincible Delwinor
Eating/Cooking. Very hardy pear, by far the most successful pear we have trialled. Often produces a second sets of blossom which will miss late frosts. Large fruits, light green, becoming yellow when ripe. Light flavour but exceptionally juicy when fully ripe. September to November. Regarded as self-fertile but does much better with a pollinator. Good pollinator for other varieties (pollination groups 2-4). France 1992. Strongly recommended
Jargonelle
Very old eating variety. Conical, medium-sized fruit, greenish yellow. Melting, juicy, aromatic. Hardy and disease resistant. One of the earliest pears to ripen (July to August). Triploid (pollination group 2). Recorded in England c1629 but of ancient heritage - may have been the pear Numidianum Groecum written about by the Roman historian Pliny. Pyrus rootstocks only
Louise Bonne of Jersey
Eating. Small to medium-sized fruit, green turning yellow with red flush. Sweet, aromatic. Hardy with good resistance to scab. Pollination group 2. September, will keep to December. France 1780. Quince A rootstock only
Moonglow
Eating/cooking. Medium to large fruit, green turning yellow with pink flush when fully ripe. Aromatic. Vigorous and hardy with good resistance to scab. Pollination group 3. Late August to mid September. USA 1960. Quince A rootstock only
Onward
Eater. Late blossom, good for frosty areas. Sweet and juicy, rich flavour. September. Pollination group 4. Surrey 1947. Quince C and Quince A rootstocks
Précoce de Trévoux
Eating. Small to medium sized fruit, yellow flushed with red. Exquisite flavour, scented, aromatic. Strong grower and resistant to scab. Good pollinator (pollination group 2), but slightly vulnerable to early frosts. One of the very best pears and one of our favourites. Mid August to early September. France 1862. Pyrus rootstocks only
Santa Claus
Eating/cooking. Large fruit, green becoming crimson-russet. Good flavour, scented, aromatic. Strong grower and resistant to scab. November to December (pick November and ripen in a cool place indoors). Late flowering (pollination group 4), good choice for localities prone to spring frost . Belgium 1875. Pyrus rootstocks only
Sensation
Eating. Red fruiting sport of Williams' Bon Chrétian. Sweet and melting. Late August/early September. Ornamental red tinged foliage in spring. Vigorous grower with excellent resistance to scab. Pollination group 3. Recommended
Shipover (Bollwiller)
Eating/cooking. Rare hybrid of Pyrus communis and Sorbus aria (whitebeam). Large leaves, felted underneath. Small, delicious fruit. Very disease resistant. Late August to mid September. Attractive flowers (pollination group 5). Bollwiller, France c1610. Pyrus rootstocks only
Perry Pear Cultivars
Perry pears are only available on Pyrus rootstocks (usually the semi-vigorous Pyrodwarf, but sometimes the more vigorous Pyrus communis or Pyrus Kirchesaller)
Blakeney Red
Mild bittersharp, fair quality. Reliable heavy cropper, good for bulking up the harvest from other varieties. September/ October. Fruit will store for up to 4 weeks. Triploid (pollination group 4). Gloucestershire. Pyrodwarf rootstock only
Gin
Vintage quality, medium acid. One of the most disease resistant of all the perry pears: very good resistance to scab and canker. May be biennial. Fruit can be stored up to five weeks before milling. October/November. Pollination group 4. Gloucestershire. Pyrodwarf rootstock only
Hendre Huffcap
Low to medium acid, low tannin, pleasant, light quality. Resistant to scab. October, relatively short milling period. Susceptible to silver leaf. Perry pollination group B. Gloucestershire, probably of ancient origin. Pyrodwarf rootstock only
Judge Amphlet
Sharp, low tannin. Very disease resistant. Makes a compact tree. October, fruit needs to be used quickly as does not keep. Early flowering. Pollination group 1. Worcestershire. Pyrodwarf rootstock only
Thorn
Sharp, low tannin. Very old variety with good disease resistance. Makes compact tree. September/October, fruit needs to be used quickly as does not keep. Pollination group 4. Gloucestershire c1670. Pyrodwarf rootstock only
Winnal's Longdon
Medium to high acid, low tannin. Good to excellent quality. Very resistant to scab. Grows into large tree. October, relatively short milling period. Perry pollination group B. Herefordshire c1790. Pyrodwarf rootstock only
Yellow Huffcap
Medium to high acid, low tannin. Good to excellent quality, rich flavour. High in citric acid. Resistant to scab. Grows into large tree. October, relatively short milling period. Pears should be shaken from tree before fully ripe. Perry pollination group B. Very old English cultivar. The word 'Huffcap' was used in the Middle Ages to describe potent ale. Pyrodwarf rootstock only
Plums and Gages
Available as maidens on Pixy rootstock (dwarfing) and also on St Julien A (semi-vigorous)
Avalon
Eater. Large red plum. Sweet fruit. Strong tree. Bristol 1980. Mid August. Pollination group 2.
Blaisdon Red
Cooking plum, sometimes eaten fresh when fully ripe. Large red fruit, good for jam. Very disease resistant and hardy. Vigorous tree, heavy cropper. Gloucestershire. Mid August. Self fertile. Pollination group 3.
Cambridge Gage
Eater. Small yellow fruit, juicy with good flavour. Reliable cropper but prefers warm sheltered site. Cambridgeshire 1927. Late August. Partially self fertile (will do better with a pollinator). Pollination group 3.
Coe's Golden Drop
Eater. Large golden gage. Very sweet and juicy. Exquisite taste with hint of apricot flavour. Eratic cropper but can do well in a sunny sheltered garden. Keeps for several weeks after picking. Suffolk 18th Century. October. Pollination group 2.
Denniston's Gage
The most reliable gage. Sweet flesh. Yellow/green, sometimes with red flush. Disease resistant and hardy. USA 19th Century. Late August. Self fertile. Pollination group 2.
Edda
Hardy plum from Sweden (1950) Blue skin with yellow flesh. Excellent flavour. Late July to early August. Not self fertile. Pollination group 3.
Gordon Castle
Very hardy plum from Scotland. Sweet yellow-green fruit. Eater. September. Self fertile. Pollination group 3.
Guinevere
.Large purple/black fruit. Heavy cropper. . One of the tastiest late plums. Late September/early October. Self fertile (pollination group 3). Kent 2000.
Haganta
.Large dark blue fruit with golden flesh. Freestone. Lovely scent and excellent flavour. September. Self fertile (pollination group 3). Germany 2005.
Herman
Hardy plum from Norway (1970). Blue/black with golden flesh. Similar in appearance to Czar but tastier. July. Self fertile. Pollination group 2.
Jubilee
Hardy plum from Sweden (1985). Exceptional flavour, similar to Victoria but larger and earlier. Nice compact tree. Self fertile. Pollination group 3. Our most popular plum in 2013/14.
Kirke's Blue
Large purple/blue Plum. Juicy and sweet with excellent flavour. Reputedly good for drying. Bedford 1906. Early September. Hardy and very prolific. Not self fertile. Pollination group 3.
Marjorie's Seedling
Large purple plum. Hardy, disease resistant and very reliable. Very sweet when fully ripe. Excellent flavour. Berkshire 1912. Late August. Self fertile. Pollination group 3.
Opal
Medium sized red/purple plum. Hardy and very reliable. Excellent flavour. Late July to early August. Self fertile. Sweden 1925. Pollination group 3.
Oullin's Golden Gage
Large golden fruit suitable for eating fresh or cooking. France 1860. Mid August. Self fertile. Pollination group 4. Vigorous.
Reine Claude de Bavay
Medium sized green gage with yellow flesh. Possibly the hardiest of the dessert gages. Makes compact tree. Belgium 1832. September. Self fertile. Pollination group 2.
Rivers' Early Prolific
Early eating plum. Hertfordshire c1820. Fruit small but heavy cropping. Late July. Self fertile. Pollination group 2.
Stella's Star
Early hardy gage suitable for eating or cooking. Medium sized fruit green turning yellow when fully ripe. August. Self fertile. Pollination group 3.
Violetta
Hardy plum from Sweden (1990). Blue with with sweet yellow flesh. Compact tree. Heavy cropper. August. Self fertile. Pollination group 3.
Yellow Pershore
Large dual purpose plum. Reliable and good disease resistance. Worcester 19th Century. August. Self fertile. Pollination group 2.
Warickshire Drooper
Large dual purpose plum. Large yellow fruit. Very reliable cropper. Gloucester 1920. September. Self fertile. Drooping speading habit. Very ornamental - makes excellent feature tree. Pollination group 2.
Willingham
Small yellow/green gage. Good cropping and excellent flavour. Cambridge. August. Self fertile. Pollination group 3.
Quince
Bare-rooted maiden trees on Quince A (semi-vigorous) rootstock
Cultivars
Aromatnaya
Russian variety. One of the sweetest quinces, reputedly can be eaten as a dessert fruit when fully ripe. Hardy and heavy cropping. September. Use October to December. Self fertile but will do better with pollinator (pollination group 2)
Serbian Gold (syn. Leskovac)
Medium to large fruit, good for stewing. Also used for alcohol production in Serbia. One of the hardiest quinces. Highly productive with good disease resistance. Harvest October, use November to February. Self fertile but will do better with pollinator (pollination group 2/3)
Vranja
Large aromatic fruit, good for stewing. Vigorous, upright tree. Moderately productive. Harvest September to October, use October to February. Self fertile but will do better with pollinator (pollination group 2/3)
Fruit bushes and shrubs - Full List
Amelanchier (service berry/saskatoon)
New improved varieties from Canada and Russia. Very tolerant of poor soil conditions (not waterlogging). Thrives on stony, dry soil. For best results plant more than one variety
Amelanchier alnifolia Forestburg
Canadian selection, grows to 2.5m. Large sweet fruits (16mm), late season
Amelanchier alnifolia Krasnojarskaja
Russian selection, grows to 4m. Large berries, sweet with slight sourness. Heavy yielding, late season
Amelanchier alnifolia Pembina
Canadian selection, grows to 3m. Sweet aromatic fruits, heavy cropping
Amelanchier alnifolia Smokey
Canadian selection. Spreading shrub growing to 4m high and 6m across. The sweetest of all the amelanchiers. Crops over long period
Aronia
Shrub native to Northern Asia and North America, long bred for its richly flavoured berries used in fruit juices and jams, or eaten raw. Important bee plant. Now known to be one of the richest sources of antioxidants, even superior to blueberries, sea buckthorn or gojiberries. Planted commericially in North America, Russia, Poland and Germany (mainly for juice production). Yields are among the highest of any berry: three times that of blueberries and ten times that of goji berries. Aronia juice is starting to appear in health food shops in Ireland, where it often sells for outrageous prices.
Easy to grow with good yields from the second year. An established bush can produce 10-15kg of berries per annum, with production continuing for thirty years or more.
When used as hedging, plant in single rows or staggered double rows, 1.2-1.5m between plants (0.8-1.2m with Hugin). For better yields plant as stand-alone bushes 1.8-2.5m apart with 2.4-3.0 m between rows.
For large scale plantations, it is best to plant out well-developed two year or three year old plants. This ensures rapid berry production at a level that should keep ahead of the blackbirds. Plants should be kept weed free for the first two to three years. Younger plants are generally best grown on in a bed for one year before planting out in their final position. Rich, slightly acid soils are best.
The picking season extends 4-6 weeks (longer if a number of different cultivars are grown), from late August.
Aronia is very frost hardy (won't be killed off by a repeat of December 2010), tolerant of most soils. However, it is not suitable for very exposed maritime situations or waterlogged ground.
Aronia is very suitable for container-growing, though eventually - perhaps at around ten years - it will outgrow even the largest container. Unlike many fruits, it is tolerant of occasional drought. In order to ensure plants do not become pot bound, plants should be repotted every year.
Aronia melanocarpa Hugin
Compact shrub (1-1.2m high) bearing black berries. Bred at the Swedish Agricultural University. Can be grown as low hedge, great for borders round vegetable or soft fruit gardens. Very ornamental foliage in autumn. Not available 2015/16
Aronia mitschurinii
Russian variety developed by Ivan Michurin, cultivated widely in Russia. Very strong, upright shrub, growing to 4 m in ten years. The most vigorous of the berry-producing aronias. Large sweet and juicy berries.
Aronia prunifolia Aron
Vigorous, ornamental cultivar 1.5-2 m high. Big crops of purple-black berries high in anti-oxidents. Very suitable for growing as a (large) fruiting hedge.
Aronia prunifolia Nero
Vigorous Russian cultivar with big crops of large, sweet, juicy berries, rich in vitamin C. 1.5-2m high. Can be grown as medium-sized hedge or as stand-alone plants. Very ornamental foliage in autumn.
Aronia prunifolia Viking
Vigorous North American cultivar with big crops of large, sweet, juicy berries, rich in vitamin C. Slightly more vigorous that Nero. 1.5-2.25m high. Can be grown as medium-sized hedge or as stand-alone plants. Very ornamental foliage in autumn.
Aronia prunifolia Galicjanja
Vigorous cultivar reputedly closely related to mitschurinii. Grown commercially in Baltic states. Big crops of large, sweet, juicy berries, rich in vitamin C. 1.2-1.6m high. Can be grown as medium-sized hedge or as stand-alone plants. Barerooted only, 40-70cm
Blueberries
Plants available
Virus-free plants, container-grown in P9 liners (9cm pots), 2l litre pots
Blueberries Highbush (these are the tallest blueberries, typically growing to 1.6-2.0 m)
Spacing 1.2-1.5 m with 3.0-3.6m between rows (the more compact varieties can be planted closer together)
Cultivars
Bluecrop
The most common variety, still providing the bulk of the global crop after half a century of dominance. Tall and vigorous with large fruit. Extremely reliable. Cropping late July to late August. Introduced 1941. Available 2020/21
Bluejay
Bluejay is a vigorous upright maincrop variety, now being used to replace Bluecrop. It flowers relatively late so misses the frosts but fast maturing so fruiting approx 1-2 weeks earlier than Bluecrop. Good disease resistance so particularly suitable for organic cultivation. Recommended. Available 2020/21
Chandler
A new cultivar with exceptional fruit, introduced to cultivation in 1994. Vigorous upright shrub growing to 1.5m. The berries are tasty, firm and exceptionally big, the biggest among the blueberry cultivars, often over 2 cm across and weighing more than 2 grams. Yields are high, spread over 4-6 weeks. Somewhere susceptible to disease, requires good maintenance. Mid to late season. Suited to small commercial plantations especially those doing pick-your-own.
Chanticleer
Upright shrub growing to 1.6 m. Medium sized berries, slightly acid, transports well. Yields up to 8kg per plant. Early season but late flowering so good for frost-prone sites.
Darrow
Vigorous upright bush. Regular pruning beneficial. Fruit large, aromatic and rich flavoured. Main cropping period late August through to late September, but with some production well into October. Very tough variety, highly tolerant of extreme weather conditions. Introduced 1965. Available 2020/21
Duke
Introduced to cultivation 1986. Spreading shrub growing to 1.6m, occasionally 1.8m. Performs best when regularly pruned. Clusters of medium sized fruit with good flavour, regular and high yields. Good shelf life and transportation qualities. Less tolerant of wet soils. Early to mid season. In spite of the early fruiting, the flowering period is relatively late, so a good choice for frost-prone sites. High disease resistance so suited to organic cultivation. Recommended. Available 2020/21
Goldtraube
Very fast growing and robust cultivar. Berries large and aromatic. Performs well in poor conditions. Fruiting late July to the end of August. Introduced 1971.
Legacy
Very vigorous cultivar growing to 2 metres. Berries medium to large with excellent flavour - one of the tastiest cultivars. Fruiting mid July to mid August. Introduced 1993.
Nelson
Introduced to cultivation 1988. Grows into relatively dense shrub up to 1.6 m high. Big fruits, aromatic and very tasty. Yields up to 6kg per plant. Ripe fruit holds on plants (does not drop off). Transports well. Late season (mid August onwards). Available 2020/21
Ozark Blue
Dense bushy cultivar growing to 1.6 metres.. Berries large and sweet. Good disease resistance. Fruiting mid July to mid August. Introduced 1996.
Patriot
Vigorous but smaller cultivar allegedly tolerant of wet and heavy soils (unconfirmed). Large fruit with excellent flavour. Ornamental flowers and autumn foliage. Early variety - mid July to early August. Introduced 1976.
Reka
Vigorous cultivar from New Zealand. Recommended by some authorities for its tolerance of higher pH (lesser acidity) . Early variety - mid July to early August. Introduced 1988. Available 2020/21
Rubel
Productive and disease resistant cultivar cloned directly from a wild selection, 1911. Fruits late August to early September. Attractive red foliage in autumn. Fruit ripens best on a warm sunny site. Available 2020/21
Spartan
High yielding with large and well flavoured fruit. 1977.Late flowering, early ripening, requires a warm sheltered site to do well.Available 2020/21
Sunrise
High yielding early variety. Small to medium sized fruit, well flavoured. Available 2020/21
Toro
Introduced to cultivation 1987. Upright shrub growing to 2 m. The tallest of the selection offered here, suitable for more sheltered sites. Very attractive pink flower buds opening into pure white flowers. Produces clusters of large firm berries with good flavour. Yields up to 7.5kg per plant. Cropping mid season, same as Bluecrop (which it is now replacing) but more concentrated cropping period. Available 2020/21
Cornelian Cherry
For best results plant in a warm sheltered location. Supplied as rootballed trees (100-140cm high)
Jolico
A selection with large and freely borne fruits about 24 to 30 mm long and 13 to 20 mm thick. High sugar and vitamin C content. A lovely, undemanding ornamental and wild fruit plant for the processing of fresh fruit juices, syrup, jams, fruit wine, liquor and schnapps.
Schönbrunner Gourmet Dirndl
Another very interesting cultivar arising out of the Higher Federal Learning and Research Institute, Vienna. Similar to Jolico, with large, bright red, slightly pear-liked fruits and the sweetest taste amongst all cultivars. A healthy and robust plant with a high ornamental and economic value.
Cornus kousa chinensis - Chinese Dogwood
More vigorous cousin of the Japanese dogwood, with larger fruits. Good for eating fresh or for making jams and fruit leathers. Suitable for forest garden situations or for growing as specimen bushes.
Suppled as small barerooted trees (100-140cm high)
Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Many people will be familar with the common native Elder (Sambucus nigra), the berries of which have long been used for used in wine-making, pies and preserves.
For the 2020/21 season, we are offering the following large berried cultivated varieties:
Haidegg 13
Precocious and high yielding Austrian variety from the research station of the same name. Among the largest fruiting of the Sambucus nigra cultivars. Ultimate height 3m+. Yield on mature plants: 15-20kg
Korsør
High yielding Danish variety. Ultimate height 3m+. Large sweet berries (sweeter than Haidegg 17). Begins cropping at about year 3. Yield on mature plants: 12-15kg
Eleagnus umbellata - Eleagnus (Autumn Olive)
Hardy fast growing shrub, best known for its tasty edible berries. Popular in hedging and in forest garden projects. Also nitrogen fixing. Very tolerant of seaside exposure. Barerooted plants 30-50cm and 50-80cm.
Honeyberries (Siberian honeysuckle - Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica)
The honeyberry or blue honeysuckle is native to Siberia and other parts of North and North East Asia. The juicy, tasty fruits are highly valued by the indigenous people of Kamchatka.
Related to the native Irish honeysuckle but is a small shrub, not a climber. Grows to approximately 1.5 metres. Produces elongated blue fruit with blueberry/damson flavour, only more acid. In spite of its name, it requres a warm, dry and sunny spot to do well (but tolerant of very low winter temperatures). Plant two or more varieties to ensure good pollination. All varieties fruit very early in the season, typically mid-June. The flowers are very attractive to bees.
The Siberian honeysickles are very winter cold-tolerant but require a sheltered sunny situation to perform well. Vulnerable to wind damage. Prefer well drained moist acid soils high in organic content. The flowers are extremely tolerant of frost.
Varieties
Aurora
University of Saskatchewan, parentage: Russian cultivar ‘Solovey’ and Japanese cultivar ‘MT46.55’. Released to propagators in 2012. Erect, thick and compact growth habit, 1.6 m high. Flowers mid May, fruits July/August. Very tasty berries averaging 1.9g. High resistance to disease.
Blue Velvet
Compact bush, smaller fruits, ornamental. One of the toughest in terms of wind resistance and tolerance of wet conditions.
Borealis
University of Saskatchewan, parentage: Kurile cultivar ‘Kiev#8’ and Russian cultivar ‘Tomiczka’. Released to propagators in 2007. Thick and compact growth habit, 1.2 m high. Flowers mid May, fruit from mid June to early July. Relatively larger fruit, average fruit weight 1.6 g, boxy shape, sweet and tart taste. High resistance to disease.
Honeybee
University of Saskatchewan. Russian hybrid (‘Suvenir’ and ‘Blue Pacific’). Selected to be a pollinator for ‘Borealis’, ‘Tundra’ and the ‘Indigo’ series. Fast growing shrub up to 1.8 m high. Fruit from mid June to early July. Very high yields. Disease resistant.
Morena
Russian cultivar, 1995. Grows up to 1.5 m high and bears fruit abundantly. Not self fertile. Fruits mid June to early July, spindle shaped, tasty and sweet with a little sourness. Disease resistant.
Tomiczka
Russian cultivar, 1987. Grows up to 1.5 m. Not self fertile. Large quantities of small to medium sized berries, sweet and sour. Mid June to early July.
Tundra
University of Saskatchewan, 2007. Grows to 1.5m. Not self fertile. Medium sized berries, tangy and sweet. Mid June to early July.
Raspberries (Ground cover varieties)
Prostrate raspberries suitable for ground-cover. Ideal for forest gardening projects. Also suitable for orchards. Can tolerate foot traffic. Plant at 2-3 plants per square metre (60-70cm spacing).
All of the varieties listed here will spread rapidly across bare ground from the second or third year. Must be kept weed-free for the first few years. The Rubus Betty Ashburner and Rubus pentalabus (see below) represent the cheapest option for covering large areas.
Rubus Betty Ashburner
The defualt ground-cover raspberry. Very tolerant of foot traffic. Will only produce berries when cross-pollinated with other similar raspberries. Not to be confused with the vigorous and invasive Rubus tricolour.
Rubus chamaemorus 'Nyby'
Cloudberry. Creeping raspberry, native to upland regions of Northern Europe, rare mountain plant in Ireland. Requires moist acid conditions. Berries highly prized in Scandinavia, where the best spots for picking are closely guarded secrets. Nyby is a Finnish cultivar, high yielding and grown commercially in Scandinavia since 2009.
Rubus illecebrosus
Strawberry-raspberry. Dwarf shrub with thorny stems. Forms dense thicket up to 0.6m high. Not suitable for areas where easy access is required but good for covering exposed banks. Not quite as rapid-spreading as the other rubus listed here. Large red fruit.
Rubus nepalensis
Bristly-stemmed prostrate raspberry native to Himalayas. Tolerant of foot traffic. Attractive white flowers followed by abundant sweet purple-red fruits.
Rubus pentalobus
Non-bristly prostrate raspberry native to Korea and Japan. Will form dense mat of stems and leaves. Very tolerant of food traffic. White flowers flowed by orange edible berries.
Rubus tricolour
Very vigorous raspberry native to China. Will grow to 1.5 m and can form impenetrable thickets if not kept under control. Invasive.
Sea Buckthorn
Named varieties selected for optimum berry production. Both male and female plants are required for successful berry production. There should be at least one male plant within 10-15m of each group of female plants (the female plants produce the berries).
Female cultivars
Askola
A fast-growing, 4 to 5 m tall shrub, fruiting densely and in abundance;fruits deep orange, medium-large, oval to cylindrical, ripening from end of August, rich in fruit acids, vitamin C and E. Very tough and vigorous. Tolerant of a wide variety of soils. Needs regular pruning to maintain good shape
Frugana
A strong fast growing growing upright shrub with strong fruiting branches. Unpruned will grow to 4 m in height. Less thorny than Askola. Fruits medium-large, light orange. One of the earliest varieties, ripening from mid August. Possibly less tolerant of wetter soils.
Hergo
A slow growing upright shrub with strong fruiting branches; fruits large, light orange, ripening from early September. Grows well as a hedge. Will tolerate most soils. One of the best cultivars for exposed sites.
Leikora
A broad, upright and vigorous shrub with overhanging fruiting branches, less thorny than Askola. Fruits medium-large, deep orange-red, ripening September/October. High oil content.
Orange Energy
Sturdy growth with wide spreading side branches, moderately thorny. Fruits large, oblong to oval, lightly hairy, bright yellowish-orange, colours solid, dense fruiting already from mid to end September. Needs regular pruning to maintain good shape
Sirola
A vigorous anjd very robust cultivar with upright growing habit, only slightly thorny. Red-orange berries, pleasantly sweet, fruit stalks long allowing easy picking, ripening end July to early August. A cultivar that is highly recommended for both domestic and commercial production. One of the most ornamentla of the sea buckthorn varieties - an attractive addition to any garden.
Male Cultivars
Pollmix 1
Early flowering pollinator, fast growing with upright growing habit, sturdy, almost thornless shoots. Pollinator for Orange Energy and Sirola
Pollmix 3
Late-season pollinator, flowering latest of the Pollmix group , with a broad, upright growing habit, and weakly thorned. Pollinator for Askola, Hergo and Leikora.
Pollmix 4
Mid to late pollinator, fast growing with upright habit, almost thornless. Pollinator for Askola, Hergo and Leikora.