What Does an Apple Look Like as a Flower?
- Hurds Team
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Our farm has over 25 varieties of apples growing. It seems like many fall guests have their favorite that they come to pick year after year. These are some of the things that we hear every September & October.......
"My Dad will only use Macoun's in his pies."
"I only want to come to pick Honeycrisp."
"We eat a bag of apples every 2 weeks, what variety is ready to pick today? See you again in 2 weeks."
"My husband will only bake with Golden Delicious."
"I need to pick a case of Jonagolds to bring to my Mom in Virginia."
Most of our guests have figured out how to time their visit so that they can pick their favorite apples. Check our Pick Your Own page to find out approximately when your favorite variety will be ready.
The question is, what does your favorite variety look like as an apple blossom? Apple blossoms are all a little different in color, size, and smell. Will your favorite blossom variety also be your favorite apple variety?
We collected pictures all last season so that you could see what the blossoms look like, but we highly recommend taking a visit to the farm in the spring so you can surround yourself with the blossoms. Here are the details of the 2026 Apple Blossom Festival.
Cameo - Tart, sweet, crispy. Excellent for salads, pies, sauces, and baking. A cross between a Red Delicious and Golden Delicious. Ready to pick in late October.
Cortland - Sweet, hint of tartness. Good for salads, stays white longer. A cross between a McIntosh and a Ben Davis. Ready to pick in early September.
Crimson Crisp - Tart, crisp, slightly spicy. Stores well. Good for eating salads and sandwiches. A cross between a Golden Delicious and a Rome. Ready to pick in early October.
Crispin(Mutsu) - Sweet, very juicy, super crisp. A fine choice for eating and baking. A cross between Golden Delicious and Indo (a Japanese variety). Ready to pick in late October.
Empire - Tasty, sweet, tart. Superb for eating and baking. Susan’s favorite! A cross between a McIntosh and a Red Delicious. Ready to pick in late September.
EverCrisp - Sweet, juicy, and firm. This is a great apple for snacking and salads. A cross between Honeycrisp and Fuji. Ready to pick in late October.
Fuji - Sweet, juicy, extremely crisp. Excellent for fresh eating and cheese plates. A cross between a Red Delicious and Ralls Janet (an antique American variety). Ready to pick in late October.
Gala - Sweet, juicy. Great snack for kids. A cross between a Kidd's Orange Red and Golden Delicious. Ready to pick in early September.
Ginger Gold - Sweet, mildly tart. Exceptional for eating, salads, and kids. A cross between a Golden Delicious and Newton Pippin. Ready to pick in late August.
Golden Delicious - Mildly sweet, juicy. Best for eating, salads, and sauce. Origin West Virginia (Grimes Golden). Ready to pick in early October.
Granny Smith - Firm, bright, strong tartness. A favorite for fresh eating and baking. Origin Australia (French Crabapple). Ready to pick in late October.
Honeycrisp - Sweet, crisp. Superb for eating, salads, and pies. Origin Minnesota (Keepsake and ?). Ready to pick in early September.
Idared - Sweet, tart, crisp. Great for pies. A cross between a Jonathan and a Wagener. Ready to pick in early October.
Jonagold - Honey sweet, hint of tartness, very juicy. Excellent for eating, salads, sauce, & baking. A cross between a Golden Delicious and a Jonathan. Ready to pick in late September.
Jonamac Sweet, tart. Good for fresh eating. A cross between a Jonathan and a McIntosh. Ready to pick in late August.
Lady Apples - Tender, sweet, hint of tart. Best for caramelizing and roasting. Kids love this unique, tiny apple. Origin in France in the Forest of Api. Ready to pick in late October.
Macoun - Extra sweet, mild, tart taste. Great for pies and baked apples. A cross between a McIntosh and a Jersey Black. Ready to pick in late September.
McIntosh - Sweet, juicy, tart tang. A classic eating apple and excellent for sauce. Originating from Ontario, Canada, every McIntosh apple eaten today is a direct descendant of that original 1811 tree. Ready to pick in late August.
Paula Red - Tart, juicy. Excellent for eating and sauce. Originating from Michigan with the McIntosh Family. Ready to pick in late August.
Pink Lady - Very firm, tart, effervescent finish. Similar to Honeycrisp. Best for snacking, baking, and juicing. A cross between a Golden Delicious and Lady Williams. Ready to pick in late October.
Red Delicious - Sweet, juicy, crisp. Excellent for eating, salads, and taking on the go. Origin Iowa "Yellow Bellflower" and possibly "Black Gilliflower," "Winesap," or "Sheepnose Sweet". Ready to pick in early October.
Rome - Mildly tart. Perfect for sauce and baking. It originated in Ohio; it was a mistake in the nursery order. Ready to pick in early October.
RubyFrost - Crisp, sweet, tart. Like Empire and Granny Smith. Great for salads, pies, or paired with red wine. A cross between Braeburn and Autumn Crisp. Ready to pick in early October.
SnapDragon - Crisp, spicy, sweet, juicy. Newest blend of Honeycrisp. Favorite of our 6th-generation farmers. Best for eating. Honeycrisp Family, created in NY. Ready to pick in late September.
Tydeman - Extra sweet flavor, hint of spice. Similar to McIntosh, good for pies. A cross between McIntosh and Worcester Pearmain. Ready to pick in late August.
We look forward to seeing you at the farm in the spring so you can experience the blossoms for yourself. Come to our Apple Blossom Festival or book a private event. Blossoms make a beautiful backdrop for weddings, birthdays, family photos, or selfies!
Apple picking starts in August and goes through October. Make sure to sign up for our emails so you can be in the know about what is ready to pick each week in the fall.
One last FUN fact.....Ida Red Apple Trees are among the first to bloom and the last to be ready to pick!
Thank you for reading Our Family Blog. Want to learn more? Sign up for one of our spring farm school classes or schedule a golf cart tour.
