History of Sussex Mother

The variety was grown around Heathfield in the nineteenth century and described in 1884 by Robert Hogg. It is still found in Sussex gardens.

It is currently cultivated as part of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s  -:- National Collection in Stanmer Park, Brighton. You can see a Sussex Mother apple tree (planted 2010) in Home Farm Orchard, Stanmer Park ( map).

Description of fruit

The Sussex Mother apple is medium to large in size and tall to conic in shape with strong ribbing on the body of the apple. It is russet in cavity. The skin is pale to golden yellow with an orange-red to carmine flush. The flesh is firm. It has a distinctive flavour, sweet, quite spicy with a hint of aniseed, though Hogg (1851) is less approving: “An early dessert apple of no great merit.”

Season of use

The fruit should be picked in early September and will store until October.

Tree habit

The Sussex Mother tree is moderately vigorous with thin, whippy growth.

Notes on cultivation

The Susse Mother tree is susceptible to mildew.

Flowering and pollination

Flowering day: F12

How to identify a Sussex Mother 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 Sussex Mother apple tree

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