Squirrels can pose a challenge for gardeners enjoying walnuts, as Charles Quest-Ritson notes
Growing the Best Walnut Varieties in England: A Guide
Charles Quest-Ritson, a renowned historian and writer on plants and gardens, has spent a significant portion of his career studying roses, penning the definitive Climbing Roses of the World with descriptions of over 1,600 varieties. However, his passion for trees extends beyond roses, particularly to walnuts.
In an interview, Quest-Ritson shared that a single meeting between Graham Stuart Thomas and Gertrude Jekyll shaped his career and thinking. This encounter sparked his interest in walnuts, leading him to explore the best varieties for growing in England.
When it comes to walnut varieties, the English or Common Walnut (Juglans regia) is the standard species suited for cultivation in England due to its adaptability to cooler climates and relatively mild winters. Among the popular cultivars is the Chandler variety, known for its large, smooth nuts with a mild, buttery flavor and ease of cracking.
Walnut trees require well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, as well as full sun exposure for optimal growth and yield. For colder areas or as a possible alternative, the Butternut walnut (Juglans cinerea) is known for exceptional cold hardiness and grows well even in poorer soils.
Other species such as the Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) are more suited to milder climates or specific soil types and often have different nut qualities that are less favored for culinary use.
Thousands of walnut cultivars exist, each selected for suitability for particular climates, fertility, yield, kernel size, shell thickness, resistance to diseases, and timing of leaf fall. Among these, the Noix de Grenoble (Franquette) is considered the best walnut variety, known for thin, easily cracked shells, pale kernels, and a delicious taste.
While walnuts usually carry decent crops of nuts, squirrels often take most of them. Despite this, walnuts are easy to grow and can thrive in various soil types and climates.
In addition to his work on walnuts, Quest-Ritson is also an olive oil taster, the first Englishman to qualify under EU norms. He has lectured in five languages and in all six continents except Antarctica, with his son-in-law, the Governor of the Falkland Islands, missing out on a lecture from him.
In his quest to debunk gardening myths, Quest-Ritson takes aim at some of the advice that constantly does the rounds despite being complete nonsense. For instance, he argues that using a chainsaw can improve a garden through severe pruning of healthy trees.
Walnuts have semi-naturalized in England, with most trees being seedlings. Food is another passion for Quest-Ritson, and he believes that understanding the origins and care of trees like walnuts can lead to a deeper appreciation of the food they produce.
In conclusion, the classic English walnut (Juglans regia) varieties, especially commercial cultivars like Chandler, are the best choice for walnut growing in England due to their balance of climate suitability, flavor, and yield. Careful site selection and soil management will optimize performance. If considering cold tolerance or experimental varieties, Butternut walnuts could be tested but come with disease risks. For reliable production and flavor in England's temperate climate, Juglans regia varieties oriented toward English commercial cultivars are recommended.
[1] RHS Encyclopedia of Roses, Charles Quest-Ritson and Brigid Quest-Ritson [2] The American Walnut, USDA Forest Service [3] Chandler Walnut, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources [4] The English Garden: A Social History, Charles Quest-Ritson [5] Gardens of Europe, Charles Quest-Ritson
- Walnuts, as a passion of Charles Quest-Ritson, extend his interest in gardening beyond roses, with walnut trees requiring care similar to that of home-and-garden maintenance, such as providing well-drained soil and full sun exposure.
- In his exploration of the best walnut varieties for England, Quest-Ritson also highlights the importance of understanding the lifestyle aspects of these trees, including their suitability for various climates and soil types, as well as their compatibility with English home-and-garden settings.
