Annie Elizabeth
Late season cooker (November to April).
Raised in the UK in 1857 by Samuel Greatorex, a magistrates clerk at Avenue Road, Knighton St Mary, Leicester. It is said to originate from a Blenheim Orange seedling. The apple is named after his baby daughter who died 1866, or after the daughters of Leicester nurseryman, Harrison, who introduced this variety in around 1868. In 1868 it was awarded a First Class Certificate by the Royal Horticultural Society. The original tree still grew in Avenue Road in 1970s.
It is esteemed as stewing apple and has also been used as an exhibition varety. It is an attractive variety which was used by Victorian gardeners for large dining and buffet table displays. It is also a valued in ornamental orchard tree on account of its blossom. It was widely grown in gardens and for market up to 1900s. It remains a popular apple in the Midlands and north.
The fruit is green with a golden-red striped flush. It has conspicuous russet lenticels and its skin is greasy, especially if stored. The fruit size is medium to large with a short, thick stalk. The flesh is white and sharp and cooks well.
 |
 |
Go back to the apple list page
All information relating to varieties, characteristics and descriptions is sourced from the following:
Bultitude, J. 1984. Apples: a guide to the identification of international varieties. London: Macmillan Press.
Morgan, M. and Richards, A. 2002. The new book of apples. London: Ebury Press.
National Fruit Collection public access database at Brogdale Farm, Kent.
Images on variety description pages are the copyright of STAA unless otherwise stated.
