RHS: The Apple Book

Rosie Sanders, often described as the best painter of the world's most famous fruit, has devoted years to researching this book and submitting the apples to hour upon hour of meticulous observation. In 144 sensuously detailed watercolours she depicts the unrivalled range of form, colour and texture which characterize such varieties as Beauty of Bath, Peasgood Nonsuch, Cox's Orange Pippin and Egremont Russet.

She shows the apples together with their blossom, twig and leaf and has written a detailed description recording their shape, colour, aroma, flavour and season as well as something of the history of each variety. Marginal line drawings in cross-section complete a comprehensive guide to identification and a source of inspiration for apple growers. The book's usefulness is enhanced by a practical essay on apple growing by Harry Baker, fruit officer for many years at the Royal Horticultural Society and one of Britain's foremost authorities on apple growing.

First published in 1988 as The English Apple and still the most trusted and sought-after book for apple identification in the UK, this new edition is revised and updated for an international readership and includes an additional 22 varieties.

To watch a video of Rosie Sanders painting her wonderful apples for The Apple Book click here