Malus domestica ‘Margaret’

Horticultural & Botanical History

A very old English apple of uncertain origin, its age attested to by the large number of synonyms, no doubt mostly local names. Fruit; middle size, roundish ovate. Skin; greenish yellow, bright red next the sun, striped all over with dark red, strewn with russety dots. Flesh, greenish white, brisk, juicy, vinous, refreshing flavour. ‘The Margaret is a first rate early dessert apple,’ ripening in August, tending to become mealy if allowed to ripen on the tree. Produces a small tree suitable for pots.  [HP pl.19/1878].

‘This is a very old English apple. It is without doubt the Margaret of Rea, Worldige, Ray, and all our early pomologists except Miller; Mr. [George] Lindley, however, is of a different opinion, for he believes the Margaret of Miller to be identical with that of Ray. That this variety is the Margaret of Rea, his description is sufficient evidence. “The Margaret or Magdelen Apple is a fair and beautiful fruit, yellow, and thick striped with red, early ripe, of a delicate taste, sweet flavor, and best eaten off the tree.” Ray gives no description of it, but it is only reasonable to suppose, that it is this variety he refers to, seeing it is the Margaret of all authors both immediately preceeding, and subsequent to him. And indeed in no instance is that of Miller noticed by any English author, but himself, anterior to Mr. Lindley.’ [Hogg p.133/1851].

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1845, 1850 and 1857 catalogues [Apple no.25/1845]. William Macarthur’s records contain two references to this apple.

Red Margaret. 1843. February. Middling.  Shewy red apple, drops before maturing. [Notebook no.9, MP A2948].

Red Margaret. February. Apple drops before maturity. [Diary B, 1862, MP A2951].

Notes