Description

Full sun, Zone 3

Malus ‘Antonovka’

Pot size #5 (3′ whip)

This is the legendary Russian apple, a couple of centuries old, yet still revered as much as ever by Russians at home and all over the world.

The epitome of multi-purpose, Antonovka is a tart fresh eating apple when it’s first ripe, a more complex eating apple given a bit of time in storage and a popular baking apple throughout.

On top of all that, Antonovka also happens to be a rare apple variety indeed: it grows very close to true from seed, which means a planted seed from an Antonovka apple will almost always produce a tree very similar to its mother, not a radically different, unpredictable hybrid. Which is what you get when you plant a seed of virtually every other apple variety in existence.

Discovered near Kursk, Russia; first recorded in 1826. Flavour: Refreshing, juicy, perfumed, tart, crisp, pure white flesh, which mellows over time in storage. Appearance: A fairly large, bright greenish-yellow apple, often with some russet. Quality for cider: Not particularly known for use in cider, but could be useful in contributing some acid to blends. Keeping ability: Good (3 months when kept refrigerated).

Grafted on G969 Semi-Dwarf Rootstock. Should be planted in a protected location.