Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles visits Myddelton House Gardens to plant a new variety of apple tree named in his honour

The new variety of apple tree, which was expertly grafted by Peter Oakenfull, has been named ‘Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles’ in tribute to the Brigadier’s role as the president of The E A Bowles of Myddelton House Society – a charity founded in 1992 with the aim of furthering interest in the life and work of renowned horticulturalist Edward Augustus Bowles as well as the conservation of his garden at Myddelton House.

The Brigadier, who is the great-great nephew of E A Bowles, planted the apple tree in the new orchard at Myddelton House Gardens, which is owned and managed by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.

Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles OBE said: “It is a pleasure to see my Great-Great Uncle’s old orchard restored to its former glory and an absolute privilege to have an apple variety named after me. I’m looking forward to continuing to visit Myddelton and taste the delicious apples for many years to come”

The Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles’ apple tree is one of twelve wilding trees which have been submitted by Peter Oakenfull since 2016 to the Royal Horticultural Societies (RHS), Registration of Local Cultivars Committee.

As with the other eleven varieties, ‘Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowls’ has been recorded within the RHS records as a new variety, adding it to a list of many plant species associated with the Edwardian plant hunter and The E.A. Bowles Myddelton House Society.

Nestled in the heart of Enfield and spanning eight acres, the historical Myddelton House Gardens is home to a multitude of rare and unusual plants and lost London treasures. The life-long home of E A Bowles plays host to a variety of trees, shrubs and flowers as well as an extensive heritage kitchen garden and cut flower beds, which have all been restored to tell the story of the famous botanist’s life and gardening style.

The Gardens are now open to the public. For more information go to visitleevalley.org.uk/Myddelton