The apple variety Beautiful from Wiltshire ’is also known under the name‘ White Wax Renette ’. As the name suggests, the apple tree comes from England. This article will tell you everything you should know about the Wiltshire apple.
If you are looking for an apple that can withstand rough weather, there is no way around the beauty of Wiltshire ’: the apple variety, which is also known in Germany under the synonym ‘White Wax Renette’, is considered to be extremely robust and easy-care. But does the apple variety also score with its taste? What do you have to consider when growing the Beautiful of Wiltshire ’variety? Our article will tell you everything you need to know about the old apple variety.
contents
- Beautiful of Wiltshire: Wanted poster
- Origin and history
- Properties and taste of the apple variety ‘More beautiful from Wiltshire’
- Growing and caring for the Wiltshire apple: this is how it works
- Harvest time and use of the apple variety
Beautiful of Wiltshire: Wanted poster
| Synonyms | 'White Wax Renette', 'Beautiful from Wiltshire' |
| fruit | medium to large in size; light yellow color |
| taste | juicy, sweet and sour, slightly spicy |
| Yield | high and regular |
| Harvest time | from mid-October |
| Ripe for enjoyment | November to December |
| Shelf life | middle; storable until the end of December |
| growth | initially strong, later medium strong |
| climate | undemanding; frost hardy even at high altitudes; suitable for rough locations |
| Diseases and pests | robust to apple scab |
Origin and history
As his name suggests, the home of the ‘beautiful from Wiltshire’ is not in Germany, but in England. This is where the apple variety is said to have been cultivated for the first time under the name ‘Beauty of Wiltshire’ in the county of the same name in south-west England. Around 1800 the Beautiful of Wiltshire ’was raised from a seed and later propagated by Mr. Standish, who recognized and appreciated the positive properties of the tree. The first evidence of an extension of the Beautiful of Wiltshire ’is from the year 1840. Today the ‘Schöner von Wiltshire’ variety is most common in southern Germany, especially in Bavaria. Unfortunately, it has become rare overall, which is why it is on the red list of endangered crops.
Properties and taste of the apple variety ‘More beautiful from Wiltshire’
The fruits of the Beautiful of Wiltshire ’variety are medium to large, conical or flattened. The apples are characterized by a waxy, slightly fatty skin and a light yellow color - only seldom does the Beautiful of Wiltshire ’show a finely dotted blush or red stripe on his Sunny side. The yellowish-white pulp, which is semi-fine and very juicy, is hidden under the skin. The beautiful Wiltshire apple is particularly popular because of its taste: its sweet and sour taste with a slight spice is what gives the apple its special aroma.
Growing and caring for the Wiltshire apple: this is how it works
What is striking about the cultivation of the Beautiful of Wiltshire ’is its strong growth, which it shows when it is young. Over the years, however, this weakens to medium-strong growth. Nevertheless, ‘Schöner von Wiltshire’ is almost exclusively suitable for cultivation as a standard or half-stem, but under no circumstances as espalier or potted fruit. In old age, the Beautiful of Wiltshire ’presents itself with a high-arched, later slightly drooping crown and is considered to be extremely aesthetic. Its medium-early and long-lasting flowering, which proves to be surprisingly insensitive to weathering, makes the Beautiful from Wiltshire ’variety an eye-catcher in the garden.
In addition, thanks to its persistent flowering, the ‘Schöne von Wiltshire’ is a good pollen donor for many other apple varieties, such as the ‘Gloster’ or the ‘White clear apple’. Numerous apple varieties with medium-early flowering are also suitable as pollinators, for example the ‘Landsberger Renette‘Or the apple variety‘ Berner Rose ’. Even at a young age, the White Wax Renette brings reliably high yields - these fluctuate with increasing age The old apple variety hardly yields if it is not unbalanced by too radical tree pruning.
In terms of both cultivation and maintenance, ‘Schöner von Wiltshire’ is no diva. On the contrary: In fact, this apple variety is particularly suitable for rougher areas, because the variety is very frost-hardy. This is especially true if the apple variety has its own roots, i.e. has not been grafted. That is why the Schöne von Wiltshire ’is still very popular in high and cold areas. The flowers of the apple variety ‘Schöner von Wiltshire’ are also relatively weather-resistant, so that even moderate late frosts often do not damage the yield that much. In addition, the Beauty of Wiltshire ’is extremely robust against apple scab.
When the tree is young, however, sufficient pruning measures must be taken. Due to its strong growth, the beautiful Wiltshire apple must be carefully pruned so that the tree's growth is directed in the right direction.
Harvest time and use of the apple variety
From mid-October, the pretty apples of the Beautiful from Wiltshire ’variety are finally ripe for picking, and from November to December the apples are ready to eat. Like most winter apples, the Schöne von Wiltshire ’can also be stored well. If stored in a dark and cool place with adequate ventilation, the apple can be kept until the end of December without any problems. The following applies: the earlier the apples are picked, the longer they can be stored. Thanks to its unique aroma, the Schöne von Wiltshire ’is a good edible apple that invites you to enjoy. In addition, it can also be cultivated as an economic apple for making must.
Would you like to find out more about old apple varieties? In our overview article you will find a large number of tried and tested apple varieties.
