The Devon Orchard: preserving fruit heritage
Our newer Devon Orchard, planted in the spring of 2017, is full of locally-raised cultivars. These have been planted to give us a true regional link, and to help conserve rare selections, so that they are not lost to cultivation. The loss of an orchard can seriously threaten the existence of regional cultivars.
This orchard is planted in a different style from the more usual regimented lines of apple trees you would expect to see, following the curving contours of the land to create a sort of circular avenue. When the orchard is in blossom and fruit, you can walk through the trees and enjoy the drama.
Beneath them, the existing wildflower meadow has been retained to add spring and summer interest, as well as to encourage winged insects, whose job is to pollinate the flowers and increase the apple harvest.
