The popular Australian Granny Smith apple grows happily in many parts of the United States. Like many of the well-known supermarket varieties, Granny Smith is undergoing something of a renaissance as apple enthusiasts discover that the qualities that have made it so successful as a supermarket apple can also be useful in the home orchard.
Granny Smith is a versatile apple, great for eating fresh of course, but also a good apple for sweet and savoury salads (since it does not go brown readily) and a good choice for apple pies - slices keep their shape when cooked. (For best cooking results, pick when slightly under-ripe).
Granny Smith prefers the warmer zones - 6 and higher - but can be grown across quite a wide range, and zone 5 is a possibility although be aware that it likes a long growing season to ripen. The flavor of home-grown examples in the warmer states can be more complex and interesting than the one-dimensional tart acidity of store-bought apples, particularly if you allow the apples to ripen fully on the tree.
As well as the distinctive green skin and tart flavor, Granny Smith is well known for its excellent keeping qualities. It is one of the best apples for home storage.
Delivery discounts. Prices are for individual trees excluding delivery. There is no minimum quantity but it is cost effective to order in multiples of 3 trees.
Delivery period: Trees are delivered in March and April. However it is best to order as soon as you can to ensure items are reserved for you. If you live in a warm zone (e.g. Southern California, Alabama etc.) Fall delivery is possible. More details on our spring shipping schedule by state.
*Mature heights: Height shown is the approximate height of the tree when mature (after 5-10 years), not the height when supplied. Actual mature heights may vary considerably dependent on your local conditions and training and pruning regime.
Stock availability: Items showing as 'sold out' will probably be available again next season. If you would like to reserve in advance use our enquiry form - this does not commit you to anything.
Granny Smith is self-fertile and does not need a pollination partner, although fruiting may be improved if there is a compatible tree of a different variety nearby. Since it flowers in the middle of the blossom season it can be pollinated by most other apple trees.
Our online pollination checker lists suitable pollination partners for this variety.
More advice about pollination.
Cropping is usually very good but the famous bright green color is only achieved in areas of warm days and nights. In cooler zones where temperatures drop overnight Granny Smith can develop an attractive red flush.
Granny Smith is generally easy to grow, but it can lapse into biennial bearing if allowed to over-crop.
One of the unusual features of Granny Smith is that the apples tend to grow behind the foliage, on the inside rather than the outside of the tree - as can be seen in our main photo.
Granny Smith is a very good pollinator of other apple varieties, making it an excellent choice if you are establishing a small orchard in the higher climate zones.
Planting instructions.
Pruning instructions.
Discovered by Maria Smith, Australia, 1860s.
