An 'orchard grade' is a tree that may be somewhat shorter, slightly crooked, or a bit scratched, or for some other reason is not a perfect front lawn specimen. These trees will work just as well in an orchard as a first or number one would, since they still produce the very same fruit.

Here is another selection we have been working on for some time. The name literally means ‘red on the sunny side’ (which would take about the same amount of time to say). Krasnobokaya produces heavy crops of attractive, mid-sized fruit on a relatively compact disease-resistant tree. It is reputed to be the very best tasting of the Russian varieties, but, of course, when it comes to flavour, so much depends on who you ask. In any case, in Edmonton, Krasnobokaya presents a respectable rival to anything available in the supermarket. Winter hardiness is naturally excellent, with documented survival to -48°C.

NEEDS A POLLENIZER | ZONE 2/3 | HARVEST: MID SEPT.