The Best Crabapple Cultivars for North Dakota
The tart flavor of crabapple makes it popular for canning and in making jellies. This fruit is grown just like apples.
A crabapple will pollinate an apple tree and vice versa. Most crabapples are partially self-fruitful but will produce higher yields in the presence of another apple or crabapple cultivar. These following cultivars are hardy to Zone 3 and are listed in order of ripening:
|
CULTIVAR |
DESCRIPTION |
|
Dolgo |
Russian variety popular for its bright white flowers and brilliant red fruits. The 1-inch fruits make good jelly. Tree resists scab and fire blight. Fruit ripens in late August. |
|
Centennial |
A progeny of ‘Dolgo’ and ‘Wealthy’. Large (1.75 to 2 inches) fruit is one of the best for fresh eating. Red blush over orange skin. Short storage life. |
|
Whitney |
Large, yellow fruits with red stripes. The juicy, slightly yellow flesh is good for preserving and pickling. |
|
Chestnut |
Prized for its mildly tart, nut-like flavor. Fruits have a reddish-bronze skin and average more than 2 inches in diameter. The yellowish flesh is good for fresh use and desserts. Ripens in mid to late September. |
Source: Tom Kalb and Kathy Wiederholt of North Dakota State University Extension; Charles Elhard and Jamie Good of North Dakota Department of Agriculture. Reviewed 2019. Starting a Community Orchard in North Dakota. Photo courtesy of Larry Krause.
