Duchess is a very old heritage variety that is still a treat in the early summer. It is a good cooking apple, but just ordinary for fresh eating. Duchess is a medium to large, greenish yellow apple with bright red striping and splashes. It has russetted dots which are distinctive. The flesh is white, fine, firm and juicy. It is not a long term keeper, but is a good seasonal apple ripening in mid-August.

Duchess of Oldenburg is the original name of this variety. It orginally came from Russia, where it had been a favorite since the early 1700's, when it was introduced to England around 1815. Thence it came to America. Grandpa grew many Duchess before the warand into the 1960's and 1970's when better varieties came around.

Duchess is an early to mid-season blooming apple and will pollinate easily with most other apples. The tree is moderately vigorous and only somewhat susceptible to fire blight. It is vigorous, productive and spreading.

Height

12-16

Spread

10-15

Zone

4-8

Color

Stripey

Categories

Apple--- Hardy Varieties, 

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