These are the main tomato varieties we should have available on our stall during the Spring 2026 – some are in very short supply. We may have a few more common varieties as well (Gardeners Delight, Supersweet 100, etc). We have selected these varieties as they are the most suitable for our climate and have great flavour. Since they are not readily available we have produced this fact sheet for you to refer to. Click on the name for full details of each variety.
Dwarf Bush Tomatoes (Determinate)
House Dwarf Cherry Tomato (Dwarf Russian)
The Dwarf House Tomato is the ultimate “space-saver” for UK gardeners. If you’ve ever wanted to grow tomatoes but lack a greenhouse or a sprawling allotment, these are your best friends. We grew this variety for the first time last year and were amazed at how well it performed with continuous cropping right into autumn. The small plant size makes them perfectly suited for windowsills, hanging baskets, small patio pots or balconys. The ideal tomato for students to grow in very limited space or for people in flats with no garden! They typically fruit faster than larger varieties, which is vital for the UK’s sometimes fickle summers. Despite their size, they are prolific producers of cherry-sized sweet, red fruits.
Unlike standard “indeterminate” tomatoes that grow into 6-foot vines, these are true determinate dwarfs—they stay compact, bushy, and rarely exceed 25–40 cm in height.
Bush Tomatoes (determinate)
Grushovka Tall Bush Tomato
The Grushovka (also known as Grushkerka) is a storied Siberian heirloom that is exceptionally well-suited to the UK’s unpredictable climate. Originally from Novosibirsk, it was bred to thrive in short, cool summers, making it a reliable performer for British gardeners who don’t have the luxury of a heated greenhouse. It produces beautiful, elongated plum or heart-shaped fruits that ripen to a distinctive dusky rose-pink. They typically weigh between 90g and 150g, though some can reach up to 250g. The flesh is meaty and “melting” with very few seeds. The flavour is a classic heirloom balance: sweet with a mild, refreshing acidity.
Latah (Super-early Salad type) Bush Tomato
If you’re gardening in the UK, the Latah Early Red Bush Tomato is essentially the “cheat code” for a successful harvest. Originally bred by the University of Idaho to withstand short, cool summers, it has become a cult favourite in Britain because it thrives in our unpredictable maritime climate. While most tomatoes are still thinking about flowering in June, Latah is often already serving up ripe fruit.
It makes a sprawling bush with medium sized bright red fruits whose flavour is surprisingly complex for an early variety—juicy with a classic balance of sweetness and tang.
Cordon Tomatoes (Indeterminate)
Amish Paste Vine Tomato
If you’re tired of watery sauces and are looking for the ultimate “processing” tomato, Amish Paste is the gold standard. Dating back to the 1870s from the Amish communities of Wisconsin, this heirloom has survived the test of time because it simply outperforms almost every other paste tomato on the market.
Unlike the standard ‘Roma’ which can sometimes be a bit bland, Amish Paste carries a high sugar content that makes it delicious enough to eat fresh off the vine. The fruits are heavy, acorn-shaped, and incredibly “meaty”—meaning they are packed with flesh and have very few seed cavities. They are one of the largest, if not the largest, plum tomatoes in the world.
Belarusian Heart Vine Tomato
The Belarusian Heart is the quintessential “beefsteak” heart tomato. The fruits are exceptionally meaty with very few seeds and small seed cavities, resulting in a dense, “all-pulp” texture that feels velvety on the palate. Its flavour profile is a sophisticated balance of rich sweetness and a tangy zip, providing that classic heirloom depth often missing in supermarket varieties.
The plant itself features “wispy” or drooping foliage, which is a genetic trait of many oxheart varieties. To an untrained eye, the plant may look like it needs water, but this lacy, delicate leaf structure is perfectly healthy and allows more sunlight to reach the ripening fruit clusters.
Blue Fire Vine Tomato
Blue Fire is part of the exciting new wave of “indigo” tomatoes, bred to contain high levels of anthocyanins—the same healthy antioxidants found in blueberries. The fruits are small, elongated, and often feature a distinct pointed end. They start life green with purple tops, but as they ripen, the bottom half turns a blazing red, creating a stark contrast with the deep blue-black shoulders. Unlike some earlier blue varieties which were all looks and no taste, Blue Fire has a sweet complex flavour.
Dív í Prs (Czech Breast) Orange Vine Tomato
The Díví Prs is a stunning heirloom variety of tomato hailing from the Czech Republic. If you’re looking for a tomato that balances visual flair with a classic “old-school” flavour profile, this is a top-tier contender for your garden. This is a cordon (indeterminate) variety known for its prolific yields and distinctive shape. Unlike perfectly round supermarket tomatoes, these fruits are plum-shaped with a characteristic pointed “nipple” at the blossom end. It has striking, vibrant orange-gold skin with firm, meaty flesh which contains relatively few seeds. The flavour is exceptionally well-balanced avoiding the watery blandness of many large tomatoes, offering a rich, sweet-yet-tangy citrus finish.
Gardeners Ecstasy Vine Cherry Tomato
If Gardener’s Delight is the old-school favorite, Gardener’s Ecstasy is the modern superstar that takes sweetness to the next level. Bred in South West Wales by the late Tony Haigh, this variety was specifically selected to outperform its famous parent in both flavour and productivity. Gardener’s Ecstasy is widely considered one of the tastiest cherry tomatoes available to UK growers. A cross between Dr. Carolyn and Irish Gardener’s Delight, it produces long, generous trusses of thin-skinned, bite-sized fruits. The flavour is remarkably complex—starting with a sugary burst that is quickly followed by a refreshing, sharp tang.
Gigante Liscio Vine Tomato
The Gigante Liscio (meaning “Giant Smooth”) is a classic Italian heirloom tomato that lives up to its name. Known for producing massive, globe-shaped maincrop salad fruits, this variety is a favourite for those who want serious weight and traditional flavour. Unlike many ribbed beefsteaks, the Gigante Liscio is prized for its smooth, uniform skin and deep red color, making it as beautiful as it is delicious.
This Large Beefsteak tomato has a perfectly balanced flavour with a high sugar content with just enough acidity for a rich, “old-fashioned” tomato taste. The texture is meaty and dense with very small seed cavities, making it ideal for slicing.
Green Zebra Vine Tomato
Green Zebra is not your average tomato. It’s a modern classic bred by Tom Wagner from Tater Mater seeds and first made available in 1983. It is prized for its striking appearance and “citrus-like” acidity. The flesh remains a vibrant lime green even when fully mature, protected by a firm skin that features jagged, golden-yellow stripes. If you find standard tomatoes a bit too sugary, this is the palette-cleanser you’ve been looking for.
While Green Zebra is relatively hardy, it needs a specific approach to get the best results in our short growing season.
Moskvich Vigorous Vine Tomato
Originally hailing from Russia, this heirloom variety is practically “weather-proofed” for the UK climate, making it one of the best choices for gardeners in more northern or exposed regions.
Moskvich is celebrated for its extraordinary cold tolerance and its ability to set fruit even when the British summer is being particularly temperamental. The fruits are smooth, globe-shaped, and develop a deep red color that often looks polished. It’s highly resistant to cracking—a common issue with other heirlooms during the UK’s unpredictable rain spells.
Orange Banana Vine Tomato
Orange Banana is beloved not just for its unique, elongated shape, but for its incredible flavour. It possesses a remarkably sweet, almost tropical or apricot-like profile with very low acidity, setting it apart from the sharp tang of traditional red varieties. The flesh is thick, meaty, and substantial with few seeds, making it a versatile favourite for chefs looking to add a splash of unexpected colour and sweetness to a dish. Excellent for salads and cooking.
Pêche Vilmorin Andrieux Vine Tomato
The Pêche Vilmorin Andrieux (often referred to as the Peach Tomato) is a French heirloom classic that dates back to the late 19th century. If you’re looking for a tomato that makes people do a double-take, this is it. It doesn’t just look like a peach; it feels like one too, thanks to a fine, velvety “fuzz” on the skin. While it is often labeled as a “stuffing” tomato because of its firm walls and hollow-leaning seed cavities, it’s far more versatile than your average supermarket stuffer.
The skin has a beautiful dusty-rose to pale red with a matte, peach-like pubescence and the flesh is meaty and firm, holding its shape exceptionally well when sliced or baked. Mild, sweet, and low in acid. It’s a “gentle” tomato flavour rather than a sharp, tangy one.
Although it can be grown outside in a warm, sunny position it will perform better in a greenhouse or polytunnel.
Pink Dreams Large Vine Tomato
A wonderful new variety from Belarus. Unlike the standard red supermarket tomato, Pink Dreams offers a complex, mellow sweetness that is often compared to the famous ‘Brandywine’ heirloom. The fruits are fleshy and multi-locular (lots of seed chambers), meaning you get a meaty texture with very little water runoff—perfect for the ultimate “Tomato Mozerella” salad. The fruits are exceptionally large and can weigh over 500g each.
Purple Ukraine Large Purple Vine Tomato
Originally hailing from the Krym (Crimea) region, this heirloom is prized for its dusky, plum-like appearance and a flavour profile that is often described as “wine-like.”Purple Ukraine is a standout “black” plum tomato variety that produces elongated fruits. Don’t let the name fool you—it isn’t a bright royal purple, but rather a deep, moody mahogany with olive-green shoulders. The flesh is notably dark and meaty, containing fewer seeds than your average salad tomato, which gives it a rich, dense texture that melts in the mouth.
Coming from a region with erratic temperature swings, Purple Ukraine is surprisingly well-adapted to the British “summer.”
San Marzano Vine Tomato
The San Marzano is widely considered the “gold standard” of plum tomatoes. Originally hailing from Peru, it has been grown in the volcanic soils near Mount Vesuvius in Italy since the late 1700s, this heirloom variety is famous for its elongated shape, thick flesh, and remarkably low seed count. While the UK isn’t exactly the Mediterranean, you can still achieve a spectacular harvest with the right approach.
This Indeterminate (Cordon) tomato requires support and has a rich, complex, and highly savory flavour. It’s less sweet than a cherry tomato but develops a deep “umami” profile when cooked.
Best For: Canning, sun-drying, and making the ultimate pasta sauce.
Tomate De Colgar Storage Tomato
Originating from Spain, the Tomate De Colgar is a fascinating variety specifically bred for incredible shelf life. Unlike standard tomatoes that soften within days of picking, these fruits possess a unique genetic trait that allows them to be stored fresh for up to six months without refrigeration. Traditionally, the clusters are sewn together with string and hung from rafters in cool, airy rooms to be enjoyed throughout the winter.
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Sauces & Stews: Their low water content makes them excellent for thick, rich Mediterranean sauces without hours of reduction.
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Roasting: Their flavour stands up beautifully to high heat and garlic.
Vine Tomatoes (Determinate)
Tomato Tumbling Tom Red
If you’re looking for a tomato that does the work for you, Tumbling Tom Red is the ultimate low-maintenance choice. Specifically bred for hanging baskets and raised containers, this variety doesn’t just grow; it cascades, turning your patio or balcony into a vertical vegetable garden. Tumbling Tom Red is the quintessential “edible ornament.” Unlike most tomatoes that fight for the sky, this variety has a naturally weeping habit, spilling over the sides of pots in a waterfall of green foliage and bright red fruit. It is an incredibly prolific producer, often yielding hundreds of sweet cherry tomatoes on a single plant. Because it stays compact and bushy, it’s the go-to variety for urban gardeners or anyone with limited ground space.
Tomato Tumbling Tom Yellow
If you’re looking for a tomato that does the work for you, Tumbling Tom Yellow is the ultimate low-maintenance choice. Specifically bred for hanging baskets and raised containers, this variety doesn’t just grow; it cascades, turning your patio or balcony into a vertical vegetable garden. Tumbling Tom Yellow is the quintessential “edible ornament.” Unlike most tomatoes that fight for the sky, this variety has a naturally weeping habit, spilling over the sides of pots in a waterfall of green foliage and bright red fruit. It is an incredibly prolific producer, often yielding hundreds of sweet cherry tomatoes on a single plant. Because it stays compact and bushy, it’s the go-to variety for urban gardeners or anyone with limited ground space.
Click here for our tomato growing fact sheet.
