History of Nanny

The Nanny apple variety was first grown in either West Sussex or Surrey and recorded as a variety in 1842.

Hogg (1851) declared it to be “a dessert apple of excellent quality and when in perfection a first rate fruit … This is met with about Havant and other districts of Sussex and on the borders of Hampshire.”

It is currently cultivated as part of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s  -:- National Collection in Stanmer Park, Brighton. You can see a Nanny apple tree (planted 2009) in Home Farm Orchard, Stanmer Park ( map).

Description of fruit

The Nanny is a large apple, flat-conic in shape, it is slightly ribbed on the body of the fruit. The skin is pale yellow and covered with orange flush, dark red stripes and russet dots. It is sweet with a rich flavour but soon becomes mealy.

Season of use

The fruit can be picked in early September and stored until October.

Tree habit

The Nanny apple is a vigorous, upright-growing tree.

Flowering and pollination

Flowering day: F5

How to identify a Nanny apple

Apples can be identified by sending them to the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale or by bringing a sample to Apple Day Brighton, where an expert pomologist will be on hand to identify apples. From each tree, bring three or more ripe fruits and a shoot with representative leaves.

Where to buy a Nanny apple tree

Please contact us for details of our supplier for Sussex apple varieties.