Apple Winter Gem Bred in Kent in 1975, one parent of late dessert Apple Winter Gem is Apple Cox’s Orange Pippin, although, unlike Cox, it thrives in most areas. Very attractive fruit, medium-sized to large, golden-yellow with extensive orange-red speckling and streaking; the flesh is creamy-yellow, firm, crisp and juicy, with an exceptional, rich, aromatic flavour. One of the best dessert keepers – will keep until March in a cold, frost-free store. The tree is large, upright and spreading, unless on a dwarfing rootstock, on which it does very well. Although reliable, it can be a light cropper – this may partly account for the excellence of its flavour. Spur-bearer. Fairly resistant to scab. Site: ShelteredSoil: Any reasonably well drainedPosition: Crops best in full sunPick: Mid-OctoberKeep: November–JanuaryHardiness: HardyPollination: Pollination Group 3 (pollinates with Groups 2, 3 and 4)Uses: Eating Learn more about fruit tree rootstocks During the bareroot season, our apples are pre pruned before being dispatched by mail order.