Honeycrisp has become one of the best selling apples in the US. When University of Minnesota breeders sought a winter hardy apple that produced large, high quality fruits, they struck gold with Honeycrisp. The apple has since been grown all over, especially in more temperate Washington and Oregon, which is something to boast about considering us cold climaters are often jealous of what warmer clime folks can grow. The fruit is aromatic and sweet as honey with a juicy, crisp texture.

Updated 2024: When many say Honeycrisp is cold hardy, this is relative. It may be cold hardy for New Yorkers or even those in much of the midwest. However, in Montana where growers can see sub-45F temps or colder, Honeycrisp does not do well. This has been our observation. On Robert Narotsky’s farm in Bozeman, Honeycrisp suffered serious frost damage into the trunk at -50F, and the same was nearly the case on Ed Schultz’ farm in Gallatin Gateway, MT where it saw -47F and serious limb damage. If you are in areas that below -45F, do not plant Honeycrisp.

For 2025 we have Honeycrisp on M7 semi-dwarf rootstock (for those west of the divide/who do not experience below -40F) as well as Honeycrisp on Dolgo rootstock and B9 for those that sit between -40F and -45F.

Image courtesy of MikeyMoose. CC3.0