Langley Pippin

Apple

Langley Pippin

Origin / History

Raised and introduced by Messrs. Veitch of Chelsea. The 1901 Bunyard catalog calls it "a seedling cross of Messrs. Veitch's," and the 1914 Bunyard catalog dates the raising and introduction to 1893. Its parents are Cox's Orange Pippin and Mr. Gladstone. Bunyard (1920) writes the cross "Cox's Orange × Mr. Gladstone," while the 1914 Bunyard catalog writes it "Gladstone × Cox's Orange." Bunyard (1920) gives as reference "Gard. Mag., September 3rd, 1898." It received the Award of Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Veitch called it "a most valuable acquisition," and the 1914 Bunyard catalog called it "a useful early variety." Bunyard (1920) was less favorable: "There are many better fruits of the same season."

Tree

A healthy tree and a moderate grower (Veitch), of neat habit (1914 Bunyard catalog), and a good bearer (1901 Bunyard catalog). Leaf rather small, light green, very twisted, finely serrate (Bunyard 1920).

Fruit

Size: Medium. Bunyard (1920) gives the dimensions as 2¼ by 2¼. The 1901 Bunyard catalog calls it small.

Form: Oblong-conical to tall conical, fairly regular.

Stem: Long (Bunyard 1920).

Cavity: Moderately deep (Bunyard 1920).

Calyx: Eye open (Bunyard 1920).

Basin: Rather ribbed (Bunyard 1920).

Skin: Yellow to pale yellow, flushed crimson and brightly striped red in broad, broken stripes. Highly colored on the side next the sun (Veitch). Very pretty in appearance (1901 Bunyard catalog).

Dots: Not described in source.

Flesh and flavor: Flesh soft and tender, yellowish (Bunyard 1920) or white (Veitch). Flavor "pleasant crisp" (Veitch), "well flavoured" (1914 Bunyard catalog), and "rich" (1901 Bunyard catalog), though Bunyard (1920) rates it only "moderate."

Core and seeds: Not described in source.

Season

August, extending into September (Bunyard 1920).

Uses

A dessert apple.

Subtypes / Variants

Not described in source.

Other

Offered as dwarfs at 2/6 in the 1901 Bunyard catalog.

Book Sources

Described in 1 period pomological work

Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)

Nursery Catalog Sources

Found in 2 catalogs (1900–1911) from England

George Bunyard & Co. , Royal Nurseries, Maidstone, Kent , England — 1900
James Veitch & Sons , Ltd., Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, London (also Coombe Wood, Langley, and Feltham) , England — 1911

View original book sources (4)

LANGLEY PIPPIN. Gard. Mag., September 3rd, 1898. Dessert, August to September, medium, 2¼ by 2¼, oblong-conical, fairly regular. Colour, yellow with crimson flush and broad broken stripes. Flesh, yellowish, soft; flavour moderate. Eye, open in a rather ribbed basin. Stem, long in a moderately deep cavity. Leaf, rather small, light green, very twisted, finely serrate. Origin, Cox's Orange × Mr. Gladstone. Raised and introduced by Messrs. Veitch, Chelsea. There are many better fruits of the same season.

— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)

Small, a seedling cross of Messrs. Veitch's; very pretty and of rich flavour; good bearer. A.M., R.H.S. Dwarfs, 2/6.

— George Bunyard & Co., George Bunyard Fruit Catalogue (1901) (1901)

a cross between Cox's Orange Pippin and Mr. Gladstone, fruit of medium size, pale yellow, highly coloured on the side next the sun, flesh white, tender with a pleasant crisp flavour, the tree is healthy and a moderate grower, a most valuable acquisition. A.M. ... Aug.

— James Veitch & Sons, Veitch's Fruit Trees (1911) (1911)

Dessert; Aug. Medium, tall conical, brightly striped red; flesh soft and well flavoured, neat habit; a useful early variety, introduced aud raised by Messrs. Veitch, 1893. (Gladstone × Cox's Orange).

— George Bunyard & Co., George Bunyard Catalog of Fruit Trees (1914) (1914)