Red King Red Flesh Apple

Overview

This is one of the newest red-fleshed apples we’ve added to our lineup, and although detailed info is still limited, it’s already made a visual and flavor impression.

Origins & Parentage

This apple is reportedly a cross between Red Delicious and Malus niedzwetzkyana, a wild red-fleshed crabapple native to Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and neighboring countries). The result is a highly ornamental and unique red-fleshed apple.

Flavor & Texture

• Flavor: Sweet, with berry-like notes; some sources report it leans tart but remains pleasant and well-balanced—likely thanks to its Red Delicious heritage (but with none of that cardboard texture!)

• Texture: Not super crisp, but still enjoyable for fresh eating and desserts

• Storage: Stores well—several months in the right conditions

Aside from its eye-catching red flesh, the blossoms are a vivid red, much like its Malus niedzwetzkyana parent. When it flowered in 2024, we removed the blooms to help the tree focus on growth, but the floral show alone makes this variety a standout in the landscape.

Climate Suitability

• Hardy to Zone 4

• Tolerates -35°F to possibly -40°F

• Not recommended for growers in areas that experience colder than -40°F, such as eastern Montana or interior Alaska.

We’re offering several grades on the same rootstock:

• Trees are grafted onto M7 semi-dwarf rootstock, which is cold hardy to about -40°F, so select accordingly based on your climate.