Merton Beauty

Origin and History

Merton Beauty was raised in 1933 by M B Crane at the John Innes Institute in Surrey but not introduced commercially until 1962. A sweet eating apple, Merton Beauty is a cross between Cox's Orange Pippin and Ellison's Orange and inherits its rich aniseed undertones from the latter.

Fruit

Merton Beauty is often described as a 'neat-looking' apple - the fruit is small to medium in size and flat, round and very regular in shape. The skin is pale green-yellow, flushed and spotted bright red with darker indistinct stripes, flecks and patches of russet. The lenticels are small and inconspicuous and the apple feels smooth and dry to the touch. The aromatic flesh is firm, creamy-white and juicy.

Picking, Storing and Using

Merton Beauty should be picked during September and early October and is best eaten fresh - it can develop a rather medicinal taste if stored.

Photograph courtesy of Keepers Nursery ©

Staff at Merton Park's John Innes Institute

Growth, Flowering and Pollination

The tree is upright and spreading, moderately vigorous and a good cropper. Merton Beauty flowers late and is self-sterile; it needs a pollinator such as Allington Pippin, Annie Elizabeth or Charles Ross to crop.

Staff at Merton Park's John Innes Institute photographed in 1929. Morley Benjamin 'M B' Crane is standing fourth from the right. He raised a whole stable of 'Merton' apples, including Merton Delight, Merton Charm and

Merton Pearmain.