apple 'Laxton's Superb'
eating / dessert apple (syn. Malus domestica 'Superb' )
Bred by the renowned Laxton Brothers in Bedford in 1897, this delicious eating apple has a purple flushed red and green...
12 litre pot | MM106 root stock | 1m
£149.99
In stock (shipped within 2-3 working days)
12 litre pot | M27 | top worked at 70cm
£119.99
In stock (shipped within 3-5 working days)
9 litre pot | M26 root stock | 1.2m
£49.99
available to order from summer
9 litre pot | MM106 root stock | 1.2m
£49.99
available to order from summer
bare root | MM106 root stock | 1.2m tall
£44.99
available to order from autumn
1
Plant description
Bred by the renowned Laxton Brothers in Bedford in 1897, this delicious eating apple has a purple flushed red and green skin, and a flavour that is similar to 'Cox's Orange Pippin', which is one of its parents.
Sweet and aromatic fruits that ripen in October, the flesh of apple 'Laxton's Superb' is firm and succulent with a greenish flush. A top old-fashioned cultivated variety that is reliably hardy in most areas, but it may be a biennial bearer.
If you choose the top worked option, the crown of this small tree has been grafted onto the upright stem of the rootstock at a height of 70cm, which will limit the eventual height. Perfect for a small garden or growing in a large pot with a loam-based (John Innes) compost.
Pollination Group: this apple belongs to pollination group 4, however it is partially self fertile, so does not need a pollinating partner toproduce a crop of apples. For a bumper crop, it can be cross-pollinated with other apples in this group.
Sweet and aromatic fruits that ripen in October, the flesh of apple 'Laxton's Superb' is firm and succulent with a greenish flush. A top old-fashioned cultivated variety that is reliably hardy in most areas, but it may be a biennial bearer.
If you choose the top worked option, the crown of this small tree has been grafted onto the upright stem of the rootstock at a height of 70cm, which will limit the eventual height. Perfect for a small garden or growing in a large pot with a loam-based (John Innes) compost.
Eventual height & spread
Flowering period
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Plant features
Position
Full sun
Rate of growth
Average
Soil
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness
Fully hardy
How to care for apple Laxton's Superb:
When planting your apple tree, prepare a hole up to three times the diameter of its root system. Fork over the base of the pit in readiness, incorporating plenty of organic matter into the backfill and planting hole. Avoiding frozen and waterlogged soil, trees should be planted out as they arrive. If you've ordered a bare root tree, soak the roots in a bucket of water for half an hour prior to planting - or if this is not possible, they can be heeled in temporarily, covering their roots with soil, or potted up.
Once in the ground, stake firmly and keep the base weed-free. Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring to support growth and fruiting and provide regular watering during hot, dry spells.
The main winter prune, avoiding frosty conditions, involves removing dead, dying, and diseased wood to create an open crown. Additionally, reduce leaders and laterals by a third to establish an airy structure without crisscrossing branches. In August, summer prune by shortening side shoots longer than 20cm (8”) back to three leaves, promoting fruit ripening and encouraging more fruit buds.
Once in the ground, stake firmly and keep the base weed-free. Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring to support growth and fruiting and provide regular watering during hot, dry spells.
The main winter prune, avoiding frosty conditions, involves removing dead, dying, and diseased wood to create an open crown. Additionally, reduce leaders and laterals by a third to establish an airy structure without crisscrossing branches. In August, summer prune by shortening side shoots longer than 20cm (8”) back to three leaves, promoting fruit ripening and encouraging more fruit buds.
Please note:
This plant is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.
