Useful Horticultural Information
Links and Other Apple Information
Apple Variety
Descriptions
(E-L)
Apple Variety Descriptions
(A-D)
Apple Variety Descriptions (M-R)
Apple Variety Descriptions (S-Y)
| Early Harvest (Yellow June, Yellow Harvest, Yellow Juneating) - Early Harvest is believed to have originated in the 1700's in Long Island, New York. It ripens over an extended period, grows well in all types of soil, and is prized for its great eating and cooking qualities. The fruit is small to medium in size with smooth, pale yellow skin with an occasional small reddish-orange blush on one side and whitish surface specks which darken as the fruit matures. The tender white flesh is crisp and juicy with a brisk, tangy flavor. Ripens June to July in most areas. Fruit Picture |
| Early Joe - This apple originated with Heman Chapin of Ontario County, New York around 1800. Mr. Chapin is also responsible for giving rise to Northern Spy, another truly fine apple variety. Early Joe first received recognition in 1843 at a fair exhibition in Rochester, New York. Ten years later, its reputation had spread to the South where it was listed in several nursery catalogs in the region. The medium-sized apple is slightly conical in shape with thin, greenish-yellow skin and striped and splashed with dark red. The yellowish-white flesh is tender, juicy, and very flavorful. An early season variety ripening July to August. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Early June (See Margaret) |
| Early Redbird (Red Bird, Crimson Beauty) - In 1895 Francis P. Sharp of New Brunswick, Canada exhibited an apple called Crimson Beauty which he had been growing since 1880. In the early 1900's, Stark Bro’s Nursery sold this apple under the trademarked name of Early Red Bird, advertising it as the earliest of all apples. When fully ripe, it has red veins running through the flesh which produces an outstanding red applesauce. Very popular as a fried apple served for breakfast. Fruit is medium-sized with red and crimson-striped skin. The soft, juicy white flesh is stained with red on the sunny side. Ripens June to July. |
| Early Strawberry (Red Strawberry, Red Juneating, Tennessee Early Red) - Early Strawberry is believed to have originated in New York around 1838. It is very similar in appearance to another early apple, Early Red Margaret, with the two often being mistaken. Fruit is medium sized and often has unequal sides. The smooth, thick skin is light greenish-yellow with fine stripes and splashes of bright red. The tender, crisp, juicy flesh is white and often stained with red when eating. Ripens in June-July, depending on location. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Edwards Winter
- This North
Carolina apple originated in Chatham County before 1869 in the orchard of
Sampson Edwards as a seedling cross of Hall x Ralls Janet. In 1992 Lee
Calhoun (1995) was taken to visit two ancient old trees planted about 1916
near Crutchfield Crossroads in Chatham County. The two trees had been part
of a family farm for over 200 years. One tree was a Mother. The other was
Edwards Winter most likely grafted from the original tree planted in Sampson
Edwards' orchard, who, interestingly, was buried in a nearby Quaker
cemetery. Fruit is medium-sized, roundish to slightly flattened. The
greenish-yellow to yellow skin is lightly blushed and striped with
brownish-red. Yellow flesh is fine-grained, tender, crisp and juicy. Ripens
late November to December. Bloom Picture |
| Empire - This fine-flavored apple is a cross of Red Delicious and McIntosh raised by R.D. Way in 1945 and released in 1966 by the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva. Currently a popular commercial variety favored for its clean, sweet flavor and striking red color. It is quite aromatic with a hint of McIntosh flavor. Fruit is medium-sized with waxy yellow skin covered an attractive, bright red blush. The creamy white flesh is crisp, sweet, and juicy. Ripens September to October and keeps well until March. |
| Esopus
Spitzenburg (Spitzenburg, True Spitzenburg) -
Originated Esopus, New York 1800's. Fabled as all-time favorite of Thomas Jefferson. Apple
is medium to large with bright red skin mixed with splashes of orange and having crisp,
yellow, aromatic flesh. Ripens in September.
Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Fallawater
(Mountain Pippin,Green Mountain Pippin,Molly Whopper ) - An old apple
originating in Bucks Co., Pennsylvania before 1842 which became widely popular throughout
the South. In the South the tree grows well only at altitudes above 1,500 feet.
Fruit large to very large with dull green skin shaded with red and bronze. Flesh is
greenish white, tender, coarse and juicy. Ripens late October and is a good keeper.
Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Fall Orange (Holden, Hogpen, Orange, Speckled, Red Cheek) - The original tree was discovered before 1770 near the hog pen of Deacon Allen of Holden, Massachusetts. In 1825 it was taken to western New York where it became known as Fall Orange. Medium to large, roundish conical occasionally irregular in shape. Pale green to yellowish skin with a pinkish blush. The aromatic white flesh is tender, crisp and juicy. Ripens in September and is a fairly good keeper. |
| Fall Pippin (Pound Pippin) - An old apple dating to the early 1800's and formerly a very popular variety, especially in the Shenandoah Valley where it was favored as an early winter apple. Thought to be an American apple though true origin is unknown. Fruit is large, somewhat oblong in shape, with thin clear yellow skin. Flesh is white, tinged with yellow and tender, juicy and aromatic. Ripens in August and September. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Fall Russet - Found in a family orchard in Franklin, Michigan, the true identity remains unclear but it is thought Fall Russet may be the old apple Autumn Pomme Gris described in Downing's 1859 masterpiece, "Fruits and Fruit Trees of America". As described by Burford, "a small, yellowish-green or golden russet apple, often irregularly webbed with gray and dark green and an orange flush, the creamy yellow flesh is crisp with a rich, sweet and subacid flavor". Ripens in September. |
| Fall Wine (Hawer, House, Sweet Wine) - The true origin of this fine dessert apple is unclear, but one source says it was introduced into the west from the gardens of Judge Jonathan Buel of Albany, New York, in 1832. Although not well known in the northern states, it was a popular variety in the middle Atlantic states. Fruit is medium with clear yellow skin marbled with rich red and specks of brownish-red. The yellow flesh is tender and sweet with a pleasing vinous flavor. Ripens in September. |
| Fanny - Originated before 1869 with Dr. John K. Eshelman of Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. It is a large, well-colored apple which grows on a vigorous, productive tree. Fruit is medium to large and slightly ribbed. The thin, smooth yellow skin is mostly covered with crimson and darker red stripes. Flesh is yellowish-white with red staining beneath the skin. Ripens late June to July, later in Northern regions. Fruit Picture |
| Foust (Faust, Faust’s Winter) - An old North Carolina apple which originated with the Foust family of Guilford County and introduced to the public by Squire Kinney who also brought attention to another fine Southern apple, Magnum Bonum. Fruit is medium to large with smooth, bright yellow skin which is overlaid with a thick white bloom. The yellow flesh is tender, quite aromatic, and somewhat dry-textured. Ripens October to December. |
| Fox - This is one of the many apples once collected and grown by the late Henry Morton of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Henry was responsible for collecting dozens of rare and lost varieties in his many years of work and is most famous for preserving the many old apple trees which were once prolific in the valleys and hollows of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. During the creation of the park many long-time residents were forced to abandon their lands and homesteads including their prized apple orchards. Due to Henry's efforts many of these extraordinary varieties were carefully collected and saved for future generations. The Fox was one of Henry's discoveries. If you like a sour apple then the Fox is the apple for you! It is a medium to large, greenish-yellow apple with a very tart and unusual flavor. The tartness of the Fox may be too intense for many palates but it does make an outstanding cooking apple. Makes wonderful apple butter and is excellent for cider. Ripens in August and is a poor keeper. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Gano (Mesa Red, Jacks Red, Ozark, Payton, Reagan, Red Ben Davis, Black Ben Davis) - A very old apple with a very confusing history. Considered by many to be the same apple as Black Ben Davis, Gano was a very popular apple in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. First noticed in 1880, it was believed to have originated in either Kentucky or Missouri but this is not a certainty. Similar in appearance to the famous Ben Davis but slightly smaller in size with greater color. The light yellow skin is flushed and striped with light red which turns to purplish red when fully ripe. The yellow-tinged whitish flesh is firm, crisp and juicy with a rich, tangy flavor. Ripens in late September and stores very well. |
| Gilpin (Carthouse, Small Romanite, Little Red Romanite, Gray Romanite, Roman Knight, Romanite of the West, Dollars and Cents, Red Romanite, Romanite, Small Red Long Keeper) - This popular cider and cooking apple probably originated in Virginia but this fact remains unclear. One of the best keeping apples known and the standard by which all long keeping apples are compared. In the South this apple was more commonly known as Carthouse and was often confused with Romanite, another distinct variety. Fruit medium size, oblong to cylindrical in shape. Skin is smooth, tough, yellow with red stripes to all red. The yellowish flesh is firm, coarse and improves in flavor and texture after a couple of months in storage. Ripens in late fall and keeps well into April and May under proper storage conditions. Fruit Picture |
| Gloria Mundi - (Monstrous Pippin, American Mammoth, Ox Apple) - A huge apple, probably the largest apple ever grown in the United States, according to Calhoun. Some apples commonly reach a pound or a pound-and-a-half. The origin of this variety is somewhat unclear. Some sources say it may have first been grown before 1800 on the farm of Mr. Crooks of Red Hook, NY. Other sources say the apple arose on Long Island, NY while some references state that this is the same apple as Baltimore Monstrous Pippin which originated in 1780 in Baltimore, MD. Although it is not considered a good fresh-eating apple, it is a fine cooking variety. The fruit is large to very large and roundish in shape although the sides are often unequal. It has greenish-yellow skin with a faint, bronze blush. The greenish-yellow flesh is coarse, moderately crisp and quite acid, becoming mellower when fully ripe. Ripens late October. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Golden Delicious (Yellow Delicious) - A truly wonderful apple when well-grown, Golden Delicious arose as a seedling on the farm of Anderson Mullins of Clay Co., West Virginia, in 1912. It is believed to be a cross of Grimes Golden, another fine old West Virginia apple, and Golden Reinette. The propagation rights for the apple were sold to Stark Brothers Nursery in 1914 who immediately erected a steel fence around the tree to prevent theft of scionwood for illegal propagation. However, some cuttings were eventually stolen and sold under the name of Yellow Delicious. Fruit is large, conic to round in shape with mostly smooth golden yellow skin with occasional russet patches. The crisp, clean juicy yellow flesh is sweet and mild. A self-fertile tree that is an excellent choice for a pollinator tree. Ripens mid to late September. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Golden Pearmain (Clarke’s Pearmain, Yellow Pearmain) - A beautiful apple of obscure origin. Golden Pearmain is believed to be one of the original apples grown in Thomas Jefferson’s orchards in Monticello. The medium-sized, somewhat conical fruit has an attractive golden-orange skin, marbled and striped with red and bronze. The fine-grained, yellow flesh is firm, crisp and juicy. Ripens in October and is a fair keeper. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Golden Pippin (Butter Pippin, Large Golden Pippin, Mammoth, Pound Royal, York Pippin) - Another of the many old American apples with an incomplete history. Known to have originated as an American apple around 1880, the original parentage is unknown. A distinct variety from the better known English variety, English Golden Pippin. A large, roundish fruit with a uniform shape. Skin is greenish-gold ripening to deep gold. The flesh is yellowish, tender and juicy. An excellent apple for fresh eating and baking. Ripens in September. |
| Golden Reinette (Golden Rennet, English Pippin, English Golden Reinette, Kirke's Golden Reinette, Reinette Golden, Yellow German Reinette) - There is a lot of confusion about Golden Reinette as there are several old European apples with this name or synonyms derived from the name. Regardless, we do know Golden Reinette was once a very popular apple in North Carolina in the late 1800's. This old English apple from Herefordshire is thought to be one of the parents of Golden Delicious. The father of Anderson Mullins, the founder of Golden Delicious in West Virginia, purchased several Golden Reinette trees in the 1880's to plant in the family orchard. Pollen from these trees crossed with a nearby Grimes Golden, another historic West Virginia treasure, producing a seedling tree which sprung up along a fence row. This tree was purchased by Stark Bro's Nursery in 1914 and named Golden Delicious. The fruit of Golden Reinette is small and uniform in size with smooth, greenish-yellow skin on the shady and golden yellow on the sunny side. Occasionally there will be a soft dull red blush on the exposed side of the apple. The crisp, yellow flesh is firm and juicy with a pleasant subacid flavor. Ripens late fall and is a good keeper, improving in flavor while in storage. Fruit Picture |
| Golden
Russet (Bullet Pippin, Fox Apple, Long Tom) -
The American Golden Russet is a famous, old Southern apple which originated in Burlington
County, New Jersey in the 1700's. A widely versatile fruit, Golden Russet is excellent for
fresh eating and drying but is most noted for making hard cider. Its high sugar content
can produce a cider with up to 7% alcohol content. A medium sized apple, round to oblong
in shape, with pale yellow skin overlaid with a rough golden-russet coating. The yellow
flesh is firm, dense, crisp and juicy. Ripens September to November.
Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
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| Golden Sweet
(Golden Sweeting, Early Golden Sweet, Summer Sweet) -
An extraordinarily sweet apple, so sweet that Lee Calhoun says the "first bite can be
a shock." It has no acid to balance the sweetness, so eating Golden Sweet can be like
eating a tablespoon of honey. It originated in Connecticut, but details of its origin are
unknown. It was once quite popular in the South and widely sold by Southern nurseries.
Fruit is medium to large with thin, smooth waxy yellow skin. The sweet yellow flesh is
firm, juicy, and aromatic. Ripens July to August. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Gragg (Red Gragg, Winter Queen) - Originated about 1860 on the farm of James Gragg in Caldwell County, North Carolina. It was valued by North Carolina growers for its fine cooking qualities and long storage ability. The conical shaped fruit is medium sized with waxy greenish-yellow skin with dark and bright red stripes and shading. The greenish flesh is tough and juicy. Ripens in October and is a great keeper. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
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Graniwinkle
(Granniwinkle)
- Always considered a first-class cider apple, Graniwinkle is also a
wonderful fresh eating apple with a rich, sweet flavor. The apple originated
in New Jersey in the early 1800's and was named for the grower who first
cultivated it. Fruit is medium-sized with greenish-yellow skin flushed red
with mixed dark red stripes and splashes. A vigorous upright tree that
produces abundant crops. Ripens in September. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Granny Smith - Granny Smith is a fine commercial apple originating in Australia in 1868. It is one of the few all-green apples that have gained popularity in the American market. It is a good keeper and considered by many to be one of the best cooking apples, making excellent applesauce and apple juice. The fruit is medium sized with a dark to pale green skin with distinctive whitish dots. Crisp, firm, and juicy with a good balance of acids and sugars. Ripens Late September to October. Fruit Picture |
| Gravenstein
( Banks Red Gravenstein, Early Congress) - A
very old apple of European origin believed to have originated in the 1600's with Duke
Augustenberg of Castle Graefenstein ( Gravenstein) in Germany. It was introduced into the
United States in the 1820's by Russian settlers moving into California. An oblong or
lopsided fruit having bright yellow skin with a pinkish-orange flush and light red
striping. The creamy yellow flesh is tender, crisp, juicy, and aromatic. Ripens July to
August in most areas and is not a good keeper.
Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Green Cheese (Carolina Greening, Crank, Green, Green Crank, Greening, Southern Golden Pippin, Southern Greening, Southern Pippin, Turner's Cheese, Winter Greening, Winter Cheese, Yellow Crank) - A very old classic southern apple dating to the 1700's. It is thought to have originated in North Carolina or Georgia but its true origin is uncertain. Green Cheese has always been a very popular apple not only for its high quality flavor but for its keeping ability and late blooming which allows it to escape most late spring frosts. The fruit is medium to large, oblate to oblique in shape. The skin is deep green in color, turning pale yellow when fully ripe. The yellowish flesh is crisp, tender and juicy. Ripens late fall to early winter (November to December). |
| Green Pippin - This apple is said to have originated in Indiana in the 1800's, but was certainly grown in the southern Appalachians for many years prior to this time. This large, roundish apple has green skin which turns a greenish-yellow when fully ripe. The white aromatic flesh is tender and juicy. Ripens September and is considered a good keeper. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Green River - A local apple from the extensive collection of Herbert Childress of Dunnville, Kentucky. Mr. Childress describes it as a "very large, red-striped apple which ripens in the fall. The flesh is tender, juicy and medium acid. An excellent apple." |
| Grimes
Golden (Grimes Golden Pippin, Bellflower) -
Considered one of the finest American apples ever, Grimes Golden originated in 1790 in
Brooks Co., West Virginia where today a granite monument still stands in recognition of
this outstanding apple. Grimes Golden is one of the parents of the widely popular
Golden Delicious. Fruit is medium to large, roundish to slightly oblong with tough yellow
skin with occasional patches of russet. This aromatic apple is highly flavored with
tender, crisp, juicy yellowish-orange flesh. Ripens September to October and is a good
keeper. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Guyandotte Pippin (Guyandotte, Guyan) - From a descriptive account by James R. Hall of Logan, West Virginia, as presented in Lee Calhoun's book: "A local seedling was found 200 yards from the Guyandotte River and bears small to medium size, all-red, somewhat elongated apples. We call it the Guyandotte or Guyan Pippin. The tree ripens a very decent crop without spraying. The flesh is yellow-gold colored with a tangy sweetness that reminds me of the better russet apples I have eaten without coarse flesh." Fruit Picture |
| Haas (Fall Queen, Maryland Queen, Hoss) - Haas originated with Gabriel Cerre of St. Louis, Missouri in the 1800's. According to Beach (1905), it was widely disseminated throughout the Midwest and Southwest where it was recognized as one of the hardiest American apples. It has occasionally been confused with Horse apple, but the two are distinctly different varieties. Horse is a greenish-yellow apple ripening July to August while Haas is a red apple ripening in September or later. Fruit is medium to large and somewhat ribbed with smooth yellow skin mottled and washed with bright red and carmine. The firm, juicy, aromatic white flesh is often stained with red. Ripens September to October. Bloom Picture |
| Hackworth (All Summer) - A long-time popular variety originating in Lavonia, Georgia in the early 1900's. It grew from seeds washed down a small creek from an orchard some distance upstream. As described in an old nursery catalog, it was a great summer apple which "bears fruit every day in August." Fruit medium with yellow skin overlaid with a few red stripes and splashes. Flesh is yellow, granular, and aromatic. Ripens July to August. Bloom Picture |
| Hall (Hall Apple, Hall’s Red, Hall’s Seedling) - One of the greatest finds in recent memory, Hall is one of the finest old Southern apples ever grown. It originated sometime from the late 1700's to the early 1800's on the farm of a Mr. Hall of Franklin County, North Carolina. It is believed that Magnum Bonum, another fine old Southern variety, was grown from seeds of Hall in 1828. Although it is an outstanding apple with exquisite flavor and great keeping ability, Hall fell from favor due to its small size which could not compete with the public’s bias toward large apples. Credit and recognition must be given to the venerable apple hunter and collector, Tom Brown of Clemmons, NC, who rediscovered Hall in the mountains of North Carolina in the summer of 2002. Fruit is small and roundish to slightly conical in shape. Skin is smooth and thick, yellow covered with clear or dull red. The yellow flesh is tender, juicy, fine-grained, aromatic with a terrific flavor with hints of vanilla. Ripens late fall and is a good keeper. |
| Harry Masters Jersey (Port Wine) - Originated in the late 19th century with Harry Masters of Yarlington, England. A vintage, bittersweet cider apple which produces a sweet, medium tannin juice and makes a very high quality cider with a soft astringency. Fruit size is medium with a dark red flush. Ripens late October to November. |
| Harvey - One of the oldest English culinary apples, Harvey was first mentioned in 1629 by John Parkinson, a fruit enthusiast who recognized the importance of different fruit varieties. It was named for Dr. Gabriel Harvey, Master of Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Fruit is large, oblong-conical and occasionally irregular or lop-sided. The slightly textured skin is yellowish-green with a reddish-brown blush. The creamy white flesh is firm, dry and fine-grained with a rather acid flavor. Ripens September to October. |
| Hawkeye
Delicious (Red Delicious) - This is the
original progenitor of the well known Delicious apple from which Red Delicious arose. It
was first grown on the farm of Jesse Hiatt of Peru, Iowa about 1870. The original
delicious tree sprouted from seeds of Yellow Bellflower in Mr. Hiatt’s orchard. The
Red Delicious we know today is a sport, or mutation of the original Delicious tree. Fruit
is medium to large with clear, smooth, glossy yellow skin covered with red shading and
striping. The yellowish flesh is fine-grained, crisp, and juicy and immensely more
flavorful than the Red Delicious. Ripens September to October and keeps until December to
January. Fruit Picture |
| Hawley (Douse, Dowse, Dows) - Hawley originated around 1750 on the farm of Matthew Hawley of New Canaan, New York. It was raised from seed originally brought from Milford, Connecticut. When grown in the North, it is a high quality apple, but when raised in warmer regions, it can be susceptible to apple scab. Fruit is large and roundish with some ribbing. The thin, smooth, waxy skin is pale green, turning to deep yellow when fully ripe. The skin’s surface has scattered russet dots and flecks. The yellowish white flesh is fine-grained, juicy, and very soft and tender. Ripens in September. |
| Henry Clay
- This apple originated before 1890 at the hands of
W. H. Knight of Hopkins County, Kentucky. In 1910, it was purchased by Stark Bro’s
Nursery and sold as an early season yellow apple rivaling the better-known Yellow
Transparent. Fruit is medium sized, conical or lopsided in shape with pale yellow skin
with a light pink blush on the sunny side. The greenish-white flesh is soft and slightly
acid. Ripens June to July. Bloom Picture |
|
Hewe's Crab (Virginia Crab, Cider Crab, Hughe’s Virginia Crab) - Hewe's Crab is absolutely one of the best cider crab apples available today. The exact date of origin is unclear, but trees of Hewe's Crab were discovered in Virginia in 1817 which were already a hundred years old. It produces a clear, dry cider which is excellent by itself or used in a blend with other ciders. Fruit is very small (1 ½ inches diameter) with dark green skin mostly covered with dull, purplish red and numerous large white dots. Flesh is firm, crisp, astringent and quite acid in flavor. Ripens September to October and is a good keeper. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Higdon
- This
apple was discovered around 1980 growing on the property of a Mr. Higdon
near Millport, AL. Described as resembling Red Delicious and making a
wonderful apple cider. Fruit is medium in size with smooth yellow skin
overlaid with streaks and stripes of red and reddish-orange. The
yellowish-white flesh is very crisp, juicy and sweet in flavor. Ripens in
August to September. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
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| Hightop
Sweet (High Top Sweeting, Summer Sweet, Sweet
June) - This is a very old American apple having originated in the Plymouth Colony in the
1600's. Fruit is small to medium with smooth greenish-yellow skin with an
occasional red blush. The yellow flesh is tender, dry, and very sweet. Ripens June to July
in most areas. Fruit Picture |
| Hog Sweet (Hog Island Sweet, Hog Apple, Hog Sweeting, Sweet Pippin, Van Kleck's Sweet) - This is an old New York apple which originated on Hog Island, now known as Syosset Island, located near Long Island. Described as a very sweet apple and a very productive tree. Fruit can be large with thick yellow skin striped with red with rough patches of russet. The aromatic yellow flesh is coarse, tender, slightly aromatic and extremely sweet. Ripens September to October. Fruit Picture |
| Holland (Kincaid) - Holland is one of the few apples to have originated in the warm regions of Texas. The apple arose about 1923 at the home of J. W. Kincaid of Weatherford, Texas. Originally named Kincaid, the name was later changed to Holland after G. A. Holland, a former well-known resident of Weatherford. The apple was once an important commercial variety in Texas. It is a very productive variety which ripens early to produce a large, red, flavorful apple. |
| Hollow Log - This flavorful and colorful apple originated in Rutherford County, North Carolina at an unknown date. Its name derives from the fact that it was discovered growing as a wild seedling near an old hollow log. It is a very late bloomer thus escaping most late spring frosts. As described by Valdesian Nurseries of Bostic, NC, in the 1920's, it is a "large fruit, deep yellow in color, tender, crisp, very juicy and with a most delicious, aromatic, spicy flavor." Ripens late June and can be picked into August. |
| Honey Cider (Honey Sweet) - In the mid-1970's famed apple collector, Elwood Fisher, discovered this apple growing in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Fruit is medium-sized with pale yellow skin flushed with light pink. The flesh is firm, juicy and very sweet. The tree has an open, spreading growth habit and requires little pruning. The fruit exhibits excellent disease resistance. A great cider and dessert apple. Ripens in August. Fruit Picture |
| Honey Sweet (See Honey Cider) |
| Hoover
(Black Coal, Black Hoover, Thunderbolt) - Hoover is a large,
beautiful dark-red apple believed to have originated in Edisto, SC in the early to mid
1800's. A dependable variety which leafs out very late in the Spring, thus avoiding most
late Spring frosts. At lower elevations, the color tends to be a duller red. Fruit
is large and slightly conical with firm, tender yellowish flesh. Ripens September to
October and is a very good keeper. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Horse (Yellow Horse, Old Fashion Horse, Carolina Horse) - Horse was probably the most popular apple grown for home use in the South. Believed by some to have originated in Nash County, North Carolina in the 1800's, Horse was immensely popular for its many home uses including fresh eating, cooking, drying and cider and vinegar making. The tree is a late bloomer, a prolific producer and an early bearer. Fruit is medium to large, slightly ribbed with thick golden yellow skin. Flesh is firm, yellow, juicy and quite tart until fully ripe. Ripens July to August. Fruit Picture |
| Hubbardston's Nonesuch (John May, Red Winter Nonsuch, American Blush) - Hubbardston’s Nonesuch originated in Hubbardston, Massachusetts in the early 1800's. Although it is considered to be a fine flavored apple, it never achieved much recognition in the South. Beach describes the apple as "excellent for dessert but less satisfactory for culinary use." Fruit is medium to large in size with smooth yellow skin blushed with reddish-brown and overlaid with dark red striping. The aromatic yellow flesh is tender, juicy, and sweet. Ripens October to November. Fruit Picture |
| Hudson's Golden Gem - A world-class dessert apple discovered as a wild seedling growing along a fence row at the Hudson Nursery in Tangent, Oregon, in 1931. A large apple, very conical in shape, with a dull yellow russet skin. This russet skin contributes to its disease resistance, especially to apple scab. The yellow flesh is very crisp, juicy and sugary with a somewhat nutty flavor. The fruit hangs on the tree well into winter and can be stored for several months. Ripens in October. |
| Hunge - Believed to have originated in North Carolina in the 1700's, Hunge is a classic old apple long valued for its many wonderful qualities. Once believed lost, Hunge was rediscovered and saved in 1986 by Gertrude Morris of Newton Grove, North Carolina. It is one of the few apple varieties that will grow well in coastal plain areas, regions that are usually inhospitable to apple growing. Fruit is large with light green skin mostly covered with dark red and overlaid with a fine russet coat. The yellowish-white flesh is crisp, juicy, and aromatic with a pleasant winey flavor. Ripens August to September. |
| Huntsman ( Huntsman Favorite) - Originated about 1850 on the farm of John Huntsman of Fayette, Missouri, and was widely grown in Kansas and Missouri. Although prized for its fresh eating qualities and the vigor and productiveness of the tree, it was never widely sold in the South. Fruit is large, somewhat roundish with unequal sides. The smooth skin is deep yellow with an occasional orangish-red blush and large, dark, distinct dots. The firm yellow flesh is juicy, aromatic and very flavorful. Ripens in September and is a fairly good keeper. Fruit Picture |
| Husk Spice - A wonderful fresh-eating apple which also makes outstanding pie. Discovered as a wild seedling on our property here in Ashe Co. in the mid 80's. Fruit is mostly yellow with a reddish blush on the sun-exposed side. Flavor is spicy and appealing with a nice blend of sugars and acids. Fruit is small to medium in size and ripens in mid-October. |
| Husk Sweet - A beautiful dark red apple discovered in Ashe Co. as a wild seedling. Husk Sweet has a honey-rich sweetness that can be surprising when first tasted. There is no hint of tartness or "bite" to the apple when eaten, but instead a rich, smooth sweet flavor. It is superb as a dried fruit and makes a wonderful applesauce. Fruit is large with deep red smooth skin and has fine tender, juicy white flesh. Fruit ripens in late October and is a good keeper. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Ingram (Ingraham, Ingram’s Seedling) - Originated in Missouri in the 1850's. Medium to large in size with clear, yellow skin streaked with red and crimson. Tough-skinned with firm, white, juicy flesh. Subacid in flavor. Late bloomer is protected from late spring freezes. Ripens in October. Fruit Picture |
| Jake's Seedling - Our friend and fellow apple collector, Lee Calhoun, obtained this apple from Herbert Childress of Kentucky who himself is a collector of heirloom apples. The apple originated in Russell County, Kentucky, on the farm of J. B. Garner. For many years this apple was a county fair prize winner for "Best Apple". Fruit is medium, slightly conical and somewhat flattened on the ends. The smooth skin is yellowish with a red blush on the sunny side, sometimes entirely red. The greenish-white flesh is crisp. Fine-grained and juicy. Ripens in August. |
| Jarrett - A popular regional apple originating in Watauga County, North Carolina. Although relatively unknown outside the northwestern area of North Carolina, it is a very highly prized apple still grown for local markets. The fruit is small and red-striped with yellow flesh. Fruit Picture |
| Jefferis (Everbearing, Grantham, Jefferis Red) - Jefferis is a high-quality fall apple well adapted to most growing conditions of the South. It originated in the 1840's on the farm of Isaac Jefferis of Chester County, Pennsylvania. It makes a great apple for the home grower as the fruit matures over a period of several weeks. Fruit is medium or smaller with thin, clear waxy yellow skin overlaid with dark reddish-orange. Flesh is yellowish-white, tender, crisp, and very juicy. Ripens August to September. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Jonathan (King Philip, Philip Rick, Ulster Seedling) - Jonathan is one of this country’s most important commercial apples grown extensively in the northern regions on the nation, particularly Michigan, Ohio, Washington, and Pennsylvania. The apple originated as a seedling of the famous Esopus Spitzenburg on the farm of Philip Rick of Woodstock, New York in 1826. The medium-sized fruit has thin, tough yellow skin almost completely covered with dark red. Ripens September to October and is a very fine keeper if properly grown. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| July August Go-No-Further |
| July Tart - According to information, July Tart was an family heirloom variety found at the home of Mrs. Press Whittaker near Cumberland, Kentucky. She had grafted it from an old tree planted by her father when she was a young child. The true history of the original tree is unknown, but was a common variety in the area for many years. The apple is described as a "summer Granny Smith type" and is both a good eating and cooking apple. Fruit is medium or smaller, conical-shaped, with light-green skin which ripens to pale yellow. The white flesh is firm, fine-flavored, briskly tart, and retains its color well when cut. Ripens in July. |
| Junaluska
(Junaliska, Junaluskee) - Junaluska is one of
those venerable old apples long sought by apple collectors but thought to have been
extinct since the 1800's. However, in 2001, noted apple hunter Tom Brown of Clemmons, NC,
found an old tree growing in Macon Co., NC, with fruit which closely matched the old
apple. He collected a handful of samples and sent a few apples to us and other collectors
for verification. To our delight and amazement, we all agreed he had indeed found the true
Junaluska! According to the description in Calhoun’s Old Southern Apples, the
original tree was owned by a Cherokee chief named Junaluskee who lived in either Macon or
Cherokee County, NC. When the state began purchasing Cherokee lands in the 1800's, Chief
Junaluskee refused to give up the land on which the tree was growing. After meetings with
State Commissioners he finally agreed to sell the tree for $50. It is a large to very
large, high-quality apple with a distinctive irregular globular form. The dull yellow skin
is somewhat rough with raised russet patches, occasional greenish spots and with a pale
red flush on the sunny side. The tender yellow flesh is juicy and rich with a pleasant
subacid flavor. A fine storage apple ripening in October and keeping until March. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
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| June Sweeting ( June Sweetening, June Sweetner, Red June Sweet) - Though this apple can be confused due to its many synonyms, this is most likely the original variety, Red June Sweet, described in 1878. It was also known under the synonym of June Sweeting. The origin is unclear but is thought to be from Pennsylvania. Fruit is medium, roundish to slightly oblate with greenish-yellow skin striped and shaded with dull red. The tender white flesh is moderately juicy, rich, pleasant and sweet. Ripens July to August. |
| Kidd's
Orange Red
- Although not considered an "heirloom" variety, Kidd's
Orange is an fine dessert apple which deserves its place in the home
orchard. It originated in 1924 in New Zealand as a cross of Delicious and
Cox's Orange Pippin. The vigorous and precocious tree produces fruit which
are medium in size with yellow skin flushed with orange and striped with
scarlet. The cream colored flesh is crisp, firm, sweet and highly aromatic.
Ripens in mid to late September.
Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| King David
- In 1893, a single tree was found growing along a fence row
on the farm of Ben Frost in Durham, Arkansas. Thought to be a cross of Jonathan x Winesap
or Jonathan x Arkansas Black, it was bought and trademarked by Stark Bro’s Nursery in
1902 and sold to commercial growers as a substitute for Jonathan. The fruit is good for
fresh eating, cooking, and cider making. The tree is a late bloomer and quite disease
resistant. Fruit is medium to large, rounded and often ribbed at the stem end. The skin is
pale green overlaid with deep red and dark red stripes and is sometimes greasy to the
touch. The firm yellow flesh is crisp, firm and juicy. Ripens October to December.
Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| King Luscious - Although this apple is not considered an heirloom variety, it is quite a popular apple in western North Carolina. Discovered as a seedling in 1935 in Hendersonville, NC, it was introduced by the Will Dalton Nursery. The skin is greenish-yellow covered with deep red and overlaid with darker red striping. The flesh is yellowish-white, fine-grained, crisp and juicy. A very flavorful apple ripening in October. Fruit Picture |
| King of Pippin (Golden Winter Pearmain) - An apple of English origin formerly known as Golden Winter Pearmain but introduced into Brompton, England around 1800 as King of the Pippins. A wonderful apple, small in size but full of flavor. It is said to have an almond-like or nutty taste. It is also noted for its fine cider qualities. Fruit is small (around 2" in diameter), oblong-conical in shape and sometimes lopsided. The skin is golden yellow with a reddish-orange blush and prominent red striping. The creamy white flesh is fine-grained and juicy with a pleasant vinous flavor. Ripens late fall. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| King Solomon (Solomon) - An old Georgia apple originating before the Civil War and once sold by the Forest Nursery of Fairview, Kentucky. Other details of its history are unknown. The apple is medium-sized with yellowish-orange skin with stripes and splashes of red. The coarse yellow flesh is tender, juicy and flavorful. Ripens August to September. Fruit Picture |
| Kinnaird's Choice (Red Winter Cluster, Kennard, Black Winesap) - A famous old apple well adapted to growing in the South. The apple originated on the farm of Michael Kinnaird of Franklin, Tennessee in 1855 and is believed to be a cross of Limbertwig x Winesap. The fruit is large and roundish with thick, tough yellow skin almost completely covered with deep red when exposed to the sun. The yellow, fine-grained aromatic flesh is tender, crisp and juicy. Ripens October in the mountains, but is at its best in January. Fruit Picture |
| Knobbed Russet (Knobby Russet, Old Maid’s Winter, Winter Russet) - There’s only one way to adequately describe this apple - it's just plain ugly! Often said to look more like a potato than an apple, Knobbed Russet originated in Sussex, England in 1819. It was preserved after WW II when the National Fruit Trials collections were first assembled in England. Described in Burford’s, Apples - A Catalog of International Varieties, as being green and yellow with occasional scarlet streaks on the sunny side. Its irregular, uneven surface is overlaid with rough gray and black russet and distinctive welts and knobs. The soft and sweet creamy flesh is fine-grained with a sweet flavor. Ripens in October. |
| Lacy - Listed in two Virginia nursery catalogs in the late 1800's, Lacy is believed to be of North Carolina origin. It is described as good for fresh eating, canning, cooking, and drying. Fruit is medium or smaller with greenish-yellow skin blushed and striped with red on the sunny side. The sweet flesh is tender, fine-grained and juicy. Ripens July to August. |
| Lady (Lady Apple, Pomme d’Api, Christmas Apple) - A famous old apple dating back hundreds of years. Very small in size with a slight flattened appearance. Bright red skin and crisp, juicy, white flesh. Wonderful flavor and highly aromatic. Very popular as a Christmas ornament used in wreaths and Christmas trees. Ripens in late October. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Lady Sweet
( Ladies Sweet, Ladies Sweeting, Pommeroy) - Beach
describes this variety as "one of most desirable of the sweet apples for commercial
planting." It originated in 1845 in Newberry, New York and was brought to the
public’s attention by Downing Nurseries. It is both an attractive and highly
flavorful apple with a distinctive, pleasing aroma. Fruit is medium to large with thin,
smooth yellow skin overspread with bright red and splashed with carmine. Pale, russeted
dots are rather conspicuous over the skin’s surface. The firm white flesh is tender,
crisp, and very sweet. Ripens October to November and keeps well into March and April.
(Not available for 2008) |
| Late
Strawberry (Autumn
Strawberry, Fall Strawberry, English Strawberry) - Late Strawberry originated around 1848
in Aurora, New York, and was quite popular and widely sold by many southern nurseries. It
is a most attractive apple and considered one of the best dessert apples available. It is
very well suited for the home orchard as it tends to ripen over a period of several weeks.
It is a vigorous, healthy, and long-lived tree producing moderate to heavy yields
biennially or nearly annually. Fruit is medium or larger and often strongly ribbed. The
skin is pale yellow nearly covered with pinkish-red and purplish-carmine striping. The
yellowish-white flesh is fine-grained, crisp, tender, and juicy. Ripens September to
October. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
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| Lawver ( Lawyer, Delaware White, Black Spy) - This apple was named for the noted Illinois pomologist, A.M. Lawver, but other details of its history are confusing. One source attributes its origin to an old Indian orchard in Kansas. Another source indicates it arose in the 1860's in Parkville, Missouri. It is considered to be an apple better suited for cooking than for fresh eating. Fruit is medium to large with thin, somewhat waxy bright red skin darkening to purplish at the base. Flesh is greenish-yellow, hard, breaking, and aromatic. Ripens in October and is an excellent keeper. |
| Lewis Green - First mentioned in 1877 and, according to a 1904 description, originated in Wautauga County, North Carolina. Fruit is large with greenish-yellow skin sometimes with a slight red blush. Displays numerous dark russet dots. Flesh is greenish-white, tender, and juicy. Ripens August to September. |
| Liberty - Described as the most trouble-free of all apples, Liberty is the result of years of work by fruit breeders to develop an apple that would free growers from the endless rounds of repetitive spraying. Released in 1978 by the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Liberty has lived up to expectations. A cross of Macoun and an experimental apple variety, it is a deep red apple with great eating and baking qualities. The fruit is medium to large with rich yellow skin overlaid with dark red stripes and splashes. The pale yellow flesh is crisp, tender, juicy, and quite flavorful. Ripens in October and improves in flavor over a couple of months of storage. |
| Limbertwigs - There are many varieties of Limbertwig, most of which originated in the mountains of Tennessee, North Carolina and Kentucky. Limbertwigs are noted for their "weeping" growth habit due to their thin and "limber" twigs, but are probably most prized for their distinct and unique flavor. One bite of a Limbertwig will convince you that this is a very special apple. The late Henry Morton of Gatlinburg, Tennessee was probably the individual most responsible for finding and saving these apple treasures. Apple collectors today owe a debt of gratitude to this man and his fine work. |
| American Limbertwig This variety has not yet fruited for us. More information soon. |
| Black
Limbertwig - A medium to large apple, deep dark
red in color. Spicy and aromatic with rich, juicy, yellow flesh. Makes excellent cider and
apple butter. Ripens late September to early October and considered an excellent keeper.
Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
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| Brushy Mt. Limbertwig - One of many fine old apples to have in originated in the Brushy Mt. Region of northwest North Carolina. A fine eating apple with bright yellow skin with a dull red wash and some russet on the skin. Crisp, juicy flesh and highly aromatic. Good keeper. Tree is true weeping type. Fruit ripens in October. Bloom Picture |
| Caney Fork Limbertwig - Originated in the Caney Fork area of the Cumberland mountains in Kentucky. Great cooking apple and an outstanding fresh-eating apple. Fruit Picture |
| Fall Limbertwig This variety has not yet fruited for us. More information soon. |
| Kentucky Limbertwig - Another old Limbertwig from the Cumberland mountains. True Limbertwig flavor and good for cooking and fresh eating. Ripens late and is an excellent keeper. Fruit Picture |
| Levering Limbertwig - One of the best of the Limbertwig strains, with the true "weeping" Limbertwig growth habit and that wonderful, smoky, distinctive Limbertwig flavor. Originated with the Levering family of southwest Virginia, home of Levering Orchard, Virginia's largest cherry orchard. Fruit is large, somewhat blocky in shape with greenish-yellow skin, overlaid with dull red striping. The yellowish flesh is juicy, very firm and crunchy. A wonderful cider apple. Ripens late October to early November and is an excellent keeper. Fruit Picture (Not available for 2010) |
| Little Limbertwig This variety has not yet fruited for us. More information soon. |
| Myer's Green Limbertwig Fruit Picture |
| Myer's
Royal Limbertwig -
Originated in the Cades
Cove area of the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park in Tennessee. Large, deep red and yellow apple with a distinctive flavor. A
juicy, firm, aromatic apple which makes wonderful cider. Strong, vigorous tree with
weeping growth habit. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Old Fashioned Limbertwig - One of the oldest Limbertwig varieties dating to the early 1800's, originating in north Georgia. Medium large fruit with greenish-yellow skin washed with red. Weeping growth type. Great for pies, jelly and cider. An excellent keeper ripening in late October. Fruit Picture |
| Ramsey Limbertwig Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Red
Limbertwig (Limbertwig, Mountain
Limbertwig, Common Limbertwig) - This is most likely the oldest of the many Limbertwigs
and the best keeper of the group. The flavor improves greatly during storage. Fruit is
medium in size with rough, greenish-yellow skin with a dull red blush on the sunny side.
Numerous, large, brown dots visible on the skin. Ripens October to November or later.
Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Red Royal Limbertwig Fruit Picture |
| Rocky River Limbertwig This variety has not yet fruited for us. More information soon. |
| Royal Limbertwig (Carolina Baldwin) - This apple somewhat resembles the better-known Red Limbertwig but is a larger apple and does not store as well as Red Limbertwig. As described from growth trials at the University of Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station in 1896, Royal Limbertwig is a high quality fruit recommended for the home orchardist. It is well-adapted to warmer regions and is noted for making excellent apple butter. Fruit is large, roundish to conical with greenish-yellow skin mostly covered with a dull red blush and dark red stripes. The yellow flesh is fine-grained, tender and juicy. Ripens October to November. |
| Ruby Limbertwig - A very obscure Limbertwig from the collection of the late Robert Dudney of Gainesboro, Tennessee. Ruby Limbertwig is like many of the fine Limbertwig varieties which arose in very remote areas of the Appalachians. Though extremely popular within their area of origin, they were never listed in any regional or local nursery catalogs and so have incomplete or unknown histories. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Smoky Mt. Limbertwig - We obtained this Limbertwig in the mid-1980's from the late Henry Morton of Gatlinburg, Tennessee who was responsible for finding so many wonderful Limbertwig varieties. The tree is a true weeping type. Fruit size medium to large with yellow skin overlaid with dark and light red. The crisp, highly aromatic yellow flesh is juicy and highly flavorful. Ripens September to October. Fruit Picture |
| Summer Limbertwig (Weeping Limbertwig) - Summer Limbertwig originated in Greensboro, NC, and first came to the public’s attention in 1855. The tree has a true weeping growth habit and produces a very beautiful fruit. The medium-sized apple has pale yellow skin overlaid with attractive pink and red striping with scattered patches of russet. The white flesh is tender, juicy, and aromatic. It is earlier than most Limbertwigs, ripening in August to September. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Swiss
Limbertwig - A very beautiful
apple with a very appealing maroon color. Originated with early Swiss settlers in the
Cumberland Mountains.
Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
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| Victoria Limbertwig (Sweet Limbertwig) - Victoria Limbertwig is one of the most flavorful of the many Limbertwig varieties and one of the most beautiful. It is a very high quality dessert apple with a rich, smooth flavor. The tree is quite lovely with a true weeping growth habit. Fruit is round in shape with attractive purple skin covered with numerous large white dots. The firm, crisp, yellowish flesh is highly flavorful and extremely juicy. Ripens in October and is a very good keeper. (Not available for 2010) |
|
White Limbertwig
- A large, greenish-yellow apple overlaid with a whitish
coloration. Origins unknown. Another fine Limbertwig which ripens in
October. Fruit Picture Bloom Picture |
| Lowell (Greasy Pippin, Orange, Golden Pippin) - Lowell is a rather large American apple with an obscure history. It was once widely grown in the North, but never became very popular in the South. The apple is good as both a dessert apple and a cooking apple and tends to ripen over a period of several weeks. The fruit is large and variable in size with waxy, greenish skin which ripens to a rich yellow color. The flesh is greenish-yellow, firm, crisp, and very juicy. Ripens August to October. (Not available for 2010) |
| Lowland Raspberry (Liveland Raspberry, Red Cheek) - This apple is one of many old American favorites of Russian origin. It arose in the province of Lievland (Lithuania) and was introduced into the United States in 1883. The flesh is fine-grained, juicy and very tender. Fruit is medium to large and somewhat flattened on both ends. An early season variety ripening in June to July. Fruit Picture |
| Lowry (Dixie, Mosby’s Best, Red Winter) - Originated in 1850 on the farm of John Lowry in Afton, Virginia. A medium size apple with striking dark mahogany-red skin with distinctive whitish dots scattered over the skin. The yellowish flesh is crisp and juicy. Ripens September and is a good keeper. Fruit Picture |
| Lugar Red - Old Southern variety originating in Craig County, Virginia. Medium size fruit with yellow skin covered with red stripes and sprinkled with gray and white dots. Yellow flesh is crisp and flavorful and slightly subacid. Ripens late August to early September. Fruit Picture |
Apple Variety Descriptions
(A-D)
Apple Variety Descriptions (M-R)
Apple Variety Descriptions (S-Y)