Hidden Gem Heirloom Apples - Standard Shipping Included

The cultivation of Apples (Malus domestica) goes back thousands of years, and by the late 1600s, Apple orchards were common in the American colonies. Over the centuries, countless Apple varieties have come and gone, and the selection we find today in the grocery store, miracle of modern agriculture that it is, hardly captures the long history and remarkable diversity of this most familiar fruit. Hidden Gem Orchard, located not far from White Flower Farm in Southbury, CT, preserves some of this fascinating farming history by growing a number of “antique” Apples alongside commercial superstars like Fuji and Honeycrisp. We are pleased to collaborate with Hidden Gem to make these uncommon delights available to you and yours this season. Our Box of 12 Hidden Gem Heirloom Apples includes 2 of each of the 6 varieties listed below. Our Box of 24 includes 4 of each variety. Standard shipping included.

• Ashmead’s Kernel: Originating in 18th-century England and widely considered among the most flavorful of all Apples.
• Cox Orange Pippin: Another English variety, this one dating to the 1820s. Noted for complex flavor and a spicy/nutty fragrance.
• Esopus Spitzenburg: Discovered in Ulster County, NY, in the late 1700s. Known to be Thomas Jefferson’s favored variety, it is still grown at his Monticello estate in Virginia.
• Hudson's Golden Gem: Considered one of the best tasting russet apples, the flesh is very crisp, juicy and sugary sweet.  It has a nutty almost pear-like flavor. Best use is fresh eating out of hand.  A rare find, and widely unknown to the public.
• Northern Spy: Considered, in its day, the premiere baker’s Apple due to its crunchy flesh and thin skin. Now rarely grown as it’s a biennial bearer, producing fruit only every other year.
• Winesap: Originated in New Jersey in the late 1700s. Its flavor blends sweet and sour and is delightful for pies and applesauce.

Founded in 2017, Hidden Gem Orchard grows roughly 4,000 Apple trees on 6 acres in Southbury, CT. The orchard is owned and operated by James Wargo, who holds a BS in Horticulture from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Science in Pomology (fruit science) from Cornell University. Wargo and his crew tend to more than 30 different Apple varieties that range from familiar Honeycrisp, McIntosh, and Gala types to hard-to-find heirloom gems including the six we are pleased to offer in this sampler. Hidden Gem is not certified organic but relies on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) protocols that treat chemicals as a tool of last resort.

HOW PLANTS ARE SHIPPED

The size of the plants we ship has been selected to reduce the shock of transplanting. For some, this means a large, bareroot crown. Others cannot travel bareroot or transplant best if grown in containers. We ship these perennials and annuals in 1 pint pots, except as noted. We must point out that many perennials will not bloom the first year after planting, but will the following year, amply rewarding your patience. We ship bulbs as dormant, bare bulbs, sometimes with some wood shavings or moss. Shrubs, Roses, vines, and other woody plants may be shipped bareroot or in pots. The size of the pot is noted in the quick facts for each item.

WHEN WE SHIP

We ship our bulbs and plants at the right time for planting in your area, except as noted, with orders dispatched on a first-come, first-served basis by climate zone. We also ship a wide range of containers and planters, tools, supplies, fertilizers, garden wear, garden decor items, as well as indoor decorations like wreaths and dried bouquets when available. Estimated dates for shipping are indicated in the green Shipping Details box for each item. Please supply a street address for delivery. Kindly contact us with two weeks notice, if you'll be away at the expected time of delivery.

OUR GUARANTEE

We guarantee to ship plants that are in prime condition for growing. If your order is damaged or fails to meet your expectations, we will cheerfully replace or refund it. Please contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-503-9624 or email us at [email protected]. Please include your order number or customer number when contacting us.