Hardy to -33F, growers should be careful planting this outside of Missoula and other warmer valleys west of the divide in Montana, or colder places that can see lower than -35F as the winter extreme low. Gravenstein has survived in Missoula on Bruce Benson’s farm for over 50 years so we know it can do well here as this means it has seen multiple -30F temps. It does have some things that people must take into consideration if they want to grow it. For starters it is both a triploid and very early blooming. Two diploid pollenizers will need to be present for full pollination, and these should have bloom times that overlap with that of Gravenstein. Not a good storing apple. It is susceptible to fireblight, powdery mildew, bitter pit, and scab, but very resistant to cedar-apple rust. Its flavor is sweet-tart, and appreciated for its honey-like flavor. Zone 4 if you go off of the extreme winter temps that the tree can handle, as it has survived down to -33F in Missoula (likely won’t do well below that).

We have grafted these trees onto G-935, and they are available in multiple large sizes.