Willow Drive Nursery 2016 Variety Showcase [Slideshow]

Discovered in the Columbia Basin, this exciting new color sport of Honeycrisp is catching attention. Royal Red Honeycrisp^® is a blush-type selection and maintains the crisp, juicy texture of its parent that so many consumers have come to love. Beyond the high color factor, initial tests indicate that its improved storage characteristics may be equally important in improving pack-out. As with its parent, the tree is low vigor and care should be taken not to crop it too soon. USPP #22,244.

JonaStar^® is an exciting new Jonagold sport with virtually 100% red color weeks before maturity. JonaStar^® is a true Jonagold with the quality, taste, and size of typical Jonagold. JonaStar finishes with a nice subtle stripe over a bright red background. USPP#20,590.

This high-colored Cripps Pink sport was first discovered in 1996 as a chance limb mutation in New Zealand. Color formation begins well over a month before harvest and finishes off with a beautiful, nice, reddish-pink hue. Beyond the high color factor, Lady in Red was shown to mature approximately one week earlier than the Cripps Pink cultivar grown in the same location in New Zealand. As with standard Cripps Pink, Lady in Red may not be suitable for all growing areas due to its late harvest timing. USPP#18,787.

This exciting Gala sport starts coloring a month earlier than its parent, Imperial Gala. Buckeye^® Gala develops well through the summer heat and the fruit finishes with a bright, full-red color. Buckeye Gala is the highest-coloring Gala that we have seen to date. USPP#10,840.

This large, early black-red cherry has above-average firmness and superior quality. BurgundyPearl^® averages 12 grams with 22% sugar. It ripens three to five days before Bing and has a long ripening period. BurgundyPearl^® is resistant to canker and initial observations show a low percentage of cracking.

From New Zealand, this apple is the ultimate striped Gala. Brookfield^® Gala's bold red stripe over its red background is the obvious improvement. The apple’s early color permits proper harvest timing for best storage maturity, flavor retention, and customer satisfaction. Baigent cltv., USPP#10,016.

(DT2 variety) This exciting new, high-colored Fuji comes to us from the land down under. Discovered in New Zealand, Aztec Fuji has the sweet, juicy, crisp texture, and harvest maturity of standard Fuji. Aztec is a blush-type Fuji and early observations show it to be the highest-coloring sport we have seen to date. Aztec Fuji^® is a protected trademark of Waimea Variety Management Ltd.

This Rainier-type cherry matures seven to ten days before standard Rainier. The cherry has mild flavor and is medium to large in size. Early Robin^® is heart-shaped in appearance and has a semi-freestone pit. Pollination is required but Van should not be used due to incompatibility issues. USPP#13,951.

Introduced in 1991, Honeycrisp is creating quite an interest with commercial growers. The well-balanced, sub-acid flavor combined with a crisp, juicy texture make for an enjoyable eating experience. Harvest is mid-late September or about one week after McIntosh. Bred specifically for winter hardiness, the tree is low in vigor with average fruiting precocity.