Holstein – A Favorite with a Unique Flavor Profile

Holstein was one of Rod McIver’s favorite apples, though it unfortunately suffered significant winter injury after experiencing -33°F in Kalispell, Montana. Rod loved this apple because, as a huge fan of Cox Orange Pippin, he was frustrated by how poorly Cox grew in Montana. He often called it “horticultural malpractice” when nurseries didn’t properly list all the issues Cox had when grown in Montana—issues we also detail in our description of Cox!

A Better Alternative to Cox Orange Pippin

Rod found Holstein to be much more forgiving than Cox, especially when it came to problems like scab, shriveling, and cracking. Despite these challenges, Holstein still captured many of the complex flavors that made Cox so beloved. While Holstein is not as disease-resistant as Ellison’s Orange, Rod noted that Holstein had much better flavor than Ellison’s Orange, which he described simply as “weird.”

Hardiness and Growing Considerations

Holstein is not a cold-hardy apple and will not survive temperatures much below -30°F. However, for those looking to grow one of Rod’s all-time favorite apples, it’s still worth trying—especially in areas with milder winter temperatures.

Availability and Rootstock

For Spring 2025, we have only 3 Holstein trees in stock. These are grafted onto the semi-dwarf M7 rootstock and are suitable for more moderate climates.

• Hardiness range: -30°F to -35°F

• Not suitable for most of Montana, especially areas that experience harsher winters.