Apple Peach Melba An Irish heritage variety of early-season dessert apple, Apple Peach Melba, also known as Peche Melba, was discovered in Co Kilkenny in the early years of the 20th century. The name refers not to the flavour, but to the unusual colour of the skin and flesh and the slight downiness of the skin in early summer. The fruit is large, round and yellowish-green with an orange flush, pink stippling, and a little russeting; the flesh is peach-coloured, and very tart. The apples do not keep. The tree is vigorous, with good disease resistance. Site: Some shelterSoil: Any reasonably well drainedPosition: Crops best in full sunPick: Early SeptemberKeep: Early to mid-SeptemberHardiness: HardyPollination: Pollination Group 3 (pollinates with Groups 2, 3 and 4)Uses: Eating apple Learn more about fruit tree rootstocks During the bareroot season, our apples are pre pruned before being dispatched by mail order.