First recorded in 1872, this variety originated on the Swazie farm near Niagara, New York. It was an apple more generally known in portions of Canada than in New York. This excellent dessert apple is small to medium in size. The trees are vigorous and upright growers, but tend not to be very productive. According to a description in the 1905 book The Apples of New York, Swayzie is “more highly aromatic and superior in quality” to Pomme Gris. U.P. Hedrick and G.H. Howe in a March, 1913, New York Agricultural Experiment Station handbook, concluded just the opposite, stating this variety is “similar to, but inferior to Pomme Gris.”

This richly flavored crab apple is one of the more unique tasting apples in our collection. It was developed by California apple breeder Albert Etter and intended to be released to the public thru the California Nursery Category under the name Humboldt. Unfortunately, this failed to occurred. Green Mantle Nursery rediscovered this variety, gave it a new name and now offers scionwood and bench-grafts under trademarked restrictions.

A small cold-hardy apple that is great for cider making and is said to be either loved or hated as an eating apple. Frostbite was developed over 100 years ago, but for much of its life lived in obscurity under the name MN447. The University of Minnesota was slow to release this apple, concerned that its unusual molasses-type flavor would not be well-received by the market. The apple has been an important part of the University of Minnesota breeding program, since the 1920’s. It is the parent of the Keepsake and Sweet 16 apples and the grandparent of Honeycrisp. We are big fans of Frostbite and use it in our own modest apple breeding trials.