History of Petworth Non Pareil

According to Reverend Donald Johnson, the variety has not been seen in the past 20 years. It was probably bred by the third Lord Egremont and his head gardener Mr Slade at Petworth House early in the 19th century. It was first recorded as a variety in 1816.

Description of fruit

The Petworth Non Pareil apple is medium sized, flat conic in shape and not ribbed. The skin is green with a thin brown russet, firm, crisp, greenish flesh. The flavour is rich and slightly acidic. Hogg (1851) judged it to have “good flavour but not equal to that of the old Nonpareil. A dessert apple of second-rate quality.”

Season of use

The Petworth Non Pareil has a picking season that is late to very late.

How to identify a Petworth Non Pareil 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 Petworth Non Pareil apple tree

This apple variety has disappeared and is no longer available.