Apple Tree “James Grieve” — Bare Root 160-180cm Pre-Order for October-November Delivery

Pre-Order for October-November 2026 Delivery

The James Grieve Apple Tree is one of the most reliable and traditional apple varieties for the Irish climate. Highly valued for its heavy crops, excellent flavour and adaptability, it is a perfect choice for home gardens and orchards.

James Grieve produces medium-sized apples with juicy, aromatic flesh and a balanced sweet-sharp flavour. The fruits are excellent both for fresh eating and light cooking, making this variety one of the most versatile apples for family gardens.

This variety performs exceptionally well in cooler and wetter climates, making it particularly suitable for Ireland.
Rootstock: M106
Height options:
* 160-180cm 
* 180–250 cm 

Tree Information
• Type: Bare Root Apple Tree
• Variety: James Grieve
• Rootstock: M106
• Mature height: approx. 3.5–4.5 m
• Growth habit: vigorous and productive
• Fruit colour: yellow-green with red flush
• Taste: juicy, sweet-sharp and aromatic
• Best use: dessert & light cooking
• Harvest period: September
• Pollination: good pollination partner for many apple varieties
• Climate suitability: excellent for Irish climate

Why Choose James Grieve?
• One of the best traditional apples for Ireland
• Reliable cropping variety
• Strong garden performance
• Excellent flavour balance
• Great for fresh eating and baking
• Easy to grow for beginners

Bare Root Information

Supplied as a bare root tree during the dormant planting season with a healthy and well-developed root system.

Bare root trees establish quickly and are ideal for autumn and winter planting.

Pre-Order &Delivery

Available now as a pre-order for October-November  delivery during the bare root planting season.

Important Notice

Fruit production, flowering and growth depend on climate, pollination, planting conditions and aftercare.

Luxara World Green guarantees delivery of healthy and viable planting stock at the time of dispatch.

Cultivar Overview

‘James Grieve’ is a classic Scottish heritage apple introduced in the late nineteenth century and remains one of the most dependable apple cultivars for Ireland and the UK. It is prized for its exceptional flavour, regular cropping and adaptability to cooler, wetter climates.

This versatile dual-purpose variety can be enjoyed fresh when fully ripe or harvested earlier for cooking, baking and juicing.  

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Rootstock

M106

Why We Selected M106

At Luxara World, ‘James Grieve’ is grafted onto M106, a semi-vigorous rootstock that offers an excellent balance between tree size, productivity and long-term orchard performance.

Benefits

* Semi-vigorous growth suitable for most Irish gardens
* Excellent root establishment and anchorage
* Early and consistent cropping
* Well adapted to Irish soils
* Easy pruning and harvesting
* Long productive lifespan

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Mature Tree Size

Approximately 3.5–4.5 metres in height and spread.

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Planting Distance

* 4–4.5 metres between trees
* 4.5–5 metres between rows

Proper spacing promotes good air circulation, light penetration and healthy canopy development.

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Site Selection

‘James Grieve’ performs exceptionally well in Ireland and is particularly suited to cooler, higher-rainfall areas.

Choose a planting site with:

* At least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily
* Fertile, well-drained soil
* Good air circulation
* Shelter from strong prevailing winds
* Avoidance of frost pockets where possible

Unlike many dessert apples, ‘James Grieve’ continues to crop reliably in cooler regions where other cultivars may struggle.  

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Soil Requirements

‘James Grieve’ on M106 performs best in:

* Fertile loam or clay-loam
* Soil pH 6.0–7.2
* Soil enriched with organic matter
* Moist but well-drained conditions

Avoid prolonged waterlogging, particularly during winter.

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Pollination

Self-fertility

‘James Grieve’ is not self-fertile.

A compatible pollinating variety is recommended for maximum fruit production.

Pollination Group

Group 3 (Mid-season)

Recommended Pollinators

* Jonagold
* Discovery
* Cox’s Orange Pippin
* Gala

‘James Grieve’ is also regarded as an excellent pollinator for many other apple cultivars.  

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Flowering Period

Mid-season.

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Harvest Period

Early to mid-September.

Harvest earlier for cooking or allow the fruit to fully ripen on the tree for a sweeter dessert apple.  

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Fruit Characteristics

Fruit Size

Medium to large

Typically 140–180 g

Skin

Greenish-yellow with an attractive orange-red flush.

Flesh

* Cream coloured
* Fine textured
* Crisp when first picked
* Becoming softer and sweeter as it ripens

Flavour

Refreshing, aromatic and well balanced with a pleasant sweet-acid profile.

Excellent for:

* Fresh eating
* Baking
* Apple pies
* Juice and cider
* Sauces

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Disease & Weather Performance

‘James Grieve’ is recognised for:

* Reliable annual cropping
* Good adaptation to cool, wet climates
* Good resistance to powdery mildew
* Moderate susceptibility to apple scab and canker in poorly managed orchards

Annual pruning and good canopy ventilation help minimise disease pressure and improve fruit quality.  

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Why We Selected ‘James Grieve’

At Luxara World, we selected ‘James Grieve’ grafted onto M106 because it consistently performs under Irish growing conditions. This heritage cultivar combines excellent flavour, dependable yields and remarkable adaptability, making it an outstanding choice for home gardens and traditional orchards. The M106 rootstock provides a well-balanced tree that is productive, easy to manage and capable of delivering abundant harvests for many years.

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Professional Growing Advice

To encourage regular cropping and maintain fruit quality, thin developing fruit in June if the tree sets an exceptionally heavy crop. This reduces biennial bearing, improves fruit size and helps develop stronger flower buds for the following season.

Prune during the dormant season to maintain an open canopy, allowing sunlight to penetrate evenly and improving air circulation throughout the tree.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – James Grieve Apple Tree

1. Is James Grieve Apple self-fertile?

James Grieve is partially self-fertile, meaning it can produce fruit on its own. However, planting a compatible apple variety nearby will significantly improve pollination and result in larger, more consistent harvests.

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2. Which apple trees pollinate James Grieve?

James Grieve is an excellent pollinator and also benefits from cross-pollination.

Excellent pollination partners include:

* Discovery Apple
* Cox’s Orange Pippin
* Gala Apple
* Elstar Apple
* Egremont Russet

Planting compatible apple trees together increases fruit production, improves fruit quality and extends the apple harvesting season.

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3. Why is James Grieve Apple so popular?

James Grieve is one of the most reliable and versatile apple varieties grown in Ireland and the UK. It is valued for its dependable crops, excellent flavour, disease resistance and ability to grow well in cooler climates.

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4. What do James Grieve apples taste like?

James Grieve apples are sweet, juicy and aromatic with a refreshing balance of sweetness and acidity. They are delicious eaten fresh and are also excellent for juicing, baking and cooking.

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5. When is James Grieve ready to harvest?

James Grieve is an early-season apple, usually ready to harvest from late August to early September, depending on local weather conditions. The fruit is best enjoyed soon after picking.

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6. How long does it take for a James Grieve Apple tree to produce fruit?

Most James Grieve trees begin producing apples within 2–4 years after planting, depending on the rootstock, growing conditions and ongoing care.

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7. How large will a James Grieve Apple tree grow?

The mature size depends on the rootstock. Please refer to the product specifications for the expected height and spread. Choosing the correct rootstock allows James Grieve to suit both compact and larger gardens.

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8. Where is the best place to plant a James Grieve Apple tree?

James Grieve grows best in a sunny position with fertile, well-drained soil. It is well suited to the Irish climate and performs reliably even in cooler regions.

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9. Is James Grieve suitable for small gardens?

Yes. When grafted onto a dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstock, James Grieve is an excellent choice for small and medium-sized gardens while still producing generous crops.

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10. Is James Grieve Apple easy to grow?

Yes. James Grieve is one of the easiest apple trees to grow. It is vigorous, reliable and suitable for beginners, requiring only basic care such as watering during dry periods, annual pruning and occasional feeding.

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11. Is James Grieve resistant to diseases?

Yes. James Grieve has good natural resistance to many common apple diseases, making it one of the most dependable varieties for home gardens when grown with good air circulation and proper care.

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12. Can I grow James Grieve Apple in a container?

Young trees grafted onto dwarf rootstocks can be grown successfully in large containers. For long-term growth and maximum fruit production, planting in the ground is recommended.

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13. What will I receive when I order?

You will receive a healthy, container-grown James Grieve Apple tree that has been professionally cultivated and carefully packed to protect the roots and branches during transport.

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14. Do you deliver apple trees throughout Ireland?

Yes. We carefully package every tree before dispatch to help ensure it arrives safely, healthy and ready for planting anywhere in Ireland.

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15. Why should I choose James Grieve Apple?

James Grieve is one of the best all-round apple trees for Irish gardens. It combines reliable harvests, outstanding flavour, good disease resistance and excellent adaptability to Ireland’s climate. Whether you’re planting your first apple tree or adding to an established orchard, James Grieve is a dependable and rewarding choice.