Laxton's Superb facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 'Laxton's Superb' apple
Genus	Malus
Species	Malus domestica
Hybrid parentage	Cellini × 'Cox's Orange Pippin'
Cultivar	'Laxton's Superb'
Origin	Laxton Brothers England, Bedford, 1897

The Laxton's Superb is a special kind of apple that was first grown in England in 1897. It's a mix of two other apples called Cellini and 'Cox's Orange Pippin'. This British apple has a green skin with a dull red blush. It's a firm apple that's great for eating fresh. People love its sweet and rich taste, which is a lot like its parent, the 'Cox's Orange Pippin' apple. It has good sugar and vitamin C too!

History of the Laxton's Superb Apple

Apple trees at Bank Hall, Bretherton. The Laxton apple tree is behind the cedar tree.

The 'Laxton's Superb' apple was first created in 1897 by a company called Laxton Brothers. It was officially introduced to the public in 1922. Before that, in 1921, it received a special prize called the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Laxton Brothers was a very famous company of plant breeders from Bedford, England. They were active during the Victorian era. This company was well known for growing many new types of fruits, especially apples and strawberries.

After Thomas Laxton passed away in 1893, his sons and grandsons continued the business as "Laxton Brothers." The company kept going until 1957. Later, the land where their orchards grew was used for buildings. However, the Laxton apple variety still lives on! The town of Bedford has even planted an orchard of these special apple trees.

It is believed that Winston Churchill also ordered fruit trees and plants from Laxton Brothers for his home, Chartwell estate, in Westerham, Kent. You can still find some Laxton apple trees growing at Bank Hall in Bretherton, Lancashire.

Growing and Harvesting Laxton's Superb Apples

The Laxton Superb apple tree can pollinate itself, which means it can make fruit on its own. However, if other apple trees are nearby to help with cross-pollination, the tree will usually produce even more apples.

These apple trees typically flower from April to May each year. The tree often gives a large crop of apples. The best time to pick these apples is usually in October. Sometimes, the tree might produce a very large crop one year and then a smaller crop the next. This is called "biennial bearing."

See also

In Spanish: Laxton's Superb para niños