Laxton's Superb

Origin and History

Laxton's Superb is a classic, late-Victorian dessert apple and probably the Bedford-based Laxton Brothers' most important introduction. Although raised in 1897, it was not made

commercially available until 1922, the year after the variety received an RHS Award of Garden Merit.

It is a Cox-style apple, but with an interesting twist in flavour inherited from its other parent, Wyken Pippin, which had been popular since the 18th century but is now little known.

Fruit

The small to medium-sized fruit has a dull reddish-purple flush over green, with fine russet dots and some russet netting – described by pomologists as ‘attractive in a subdued way’.

Picking, Storing and Using

The white-green flesh is quite dense and sweet, and very ‘appley’. The texture is firm rather than crisp, and there is not a lot of juice.

The fruit should be picked in early October and can be stored until January. Like several older varieties, it apparently tastes better if you cut it with a knife and eat it in slices or wedges rather than biting into it.

Growth, Flowering and Pollination

Laxton's Superb is a heavy cropper with good disease resistance, but its biennial habit led to its demise in the markets. It remains a popular garden variety and will grow where Cox struggles. The tree is vigorous and spreading with whippy, new growth. The blossom is late and showy.

Laxton's Superb is partially self-fertile but will do better with a pollinator such as Annie Elizabeth, Dumelow's Seedling or Lord Derby.