Apple trees for California / south-west
Apple varieties which are suitable for growing in California and the south-western states.
- Apple tree
Anna
Anna is the go-to apple apple variety for growers in low-chill climates - if you are in southern California, or the southern states, Anna is a good choice.- Picking season: Very early
- Self-fertility: Partially self-fertile
- Pollination group: 1
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Arkansas Black
Arkansas Black is an unusual and attractive apple, used as a winter apple after maturing in a cold store.- Picking season: Late
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Pollination group: 3
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Cripps Pink
Cripps Pink is one of the best-known modern apple varieties, well-suited to the warmer apple-growing regions.$36.95buy- Picking season: Very late
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Pollination group: 3
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Cripps Red
Cripps Red is a late-season dessert apple from Australia, with a crisp dense flesh and a good flavor.- Picking season: Very late
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Pollination group: 3
- Apple tree
Enterprise
Best seller
Enterprise is a modern American disease-resistant apple, good for eating fresh and cooking.- Picking season: Very late
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Pollination group: 4
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Fuji
Developed in Japan, but with all-American parents, Fuji is a very attractive apple with a good sweet flavor.- Picking season: Very late
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Pollination group: 3
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Gala
Gala is popular supermarket apple - but better when home-grown, with a sweet pleasant flavor.- Picking season: Late
- Self-fertility: Partially self-fertile
- Pollination group: 4
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Granny Smith
Granny Smith is the world-famous green apple from Australia, a good choice for warmer apple-growing regions.- Picking season: Very late
- Self-fertility: Self-fertile
- Pollination group: 3
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Gravenstein
Gravenstein is a high-quality early-season eating and cooking apple, with an excellent strong apple flavor.- Picking season: Early
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Pollination group: 1
- Apple tree
Honeycrisp
Best seller
Honeycrisp is a cold-hardy disease-resistant apple - it shows just how good modern apples have become.- Picking season: Late
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Pollination group: 4
- Apple tree
King of Tompkins County
An heirloom apple from New York state, primarily used for cooking.- Picking season: Late
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Pollination group: 3
- Apple tree
Spitzenburg
Best seller
Esopus Spitzenberg is one of the best-flavored American heirloom apples, and a favorite of Thomas Jefferson.- Picking season: Late
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Pollination group: 4
- Awards: Slow Food - Ark of Taste
- Apple tree
Wickson Crab
Best seller
Wickson crab is a popular crab apple variety which is also useful in cider blends.- Picking season: Late
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Pollination group: 2
How to choose Apple trees for California / south-west
As a rule most apple varieties prefer a climate where there is a definite winter period with temperatures around or below freezing, and summer temperatures not exceeding the low 90s. In contrast Southern California has a "Mediterranean" climate and some other areas of the south western states have long hot dry summers and mild winters. Typical of a Mediterranean climate, almost the entire annual rainfall occurs in winter.
Fortunately there are several apple varieties that will tolerate these conditions.