Fruit identification

The RHS hosts special sessions throughout the year where an expert will be on hand to identify a range of fruit cultivars of apples, pears, plums and many others. This carried out by RHS Horticultural specialist Jim Arbury and at the larger events with assistance from other specialists.

Please bring along three or more fruits of each cultivar. These should be mature typical specimens complete with stalks.

Please note: we are not able to identify fruit samples at our face-to-face Gardening Advice Service or by post.

Dates and venues for 2019

Times: 11am–1pm and 2pm–4pm unless otherwise mentioned.

• 5 September: RHS Garden Wisley
• 11 September: RHS Garden Rosemoor
• 27 September: RHS Garden Wisley
• 5–6 October: Rosemoor Apple Festival (10am–4pm each day)
• 16–20 October: Wisley Taste of Autumn
• 30–31 October: RHS Garden Harlow Carr
• 1–3 November: Late Fruit & Vegetable competition at RHS Garden Wisley

Additional information

If you are not able to attend one of the RHS Fruit Identification days, here are some other options to get your fruit identified.

Brogdale Collections, home of the National Fruit Collection, offer postal apple and pear identification service from August to December. Alternatively, visit the Brogdale Apple Festival 19–20 October 2019 where fruit identification is offered during the event.

More fruit naming opportunities:

• 22 September: Apple Day at Brighton Permaculture Trust
• 13 October: Blackmoore Estate Apple Tasting Day
• 30 October–4 November: Northern Fruit Group Apple Display at RHS Garden Harlow Carr

Have a go at identifying the fruit yourself using Fruit ID website.

Keen individuals, orchards and nurseries may consider using DNA identification. This is offered by NIAB EMR research institute for apples, pears, strawberries and raspberries from samples of new growth in early summer. Please note: this service can be expensive and would advise discussing the cost first.