Fruit and Nut Nurseries Showcase Proven Varieties to Grow

Posted by Growing Produce Staff|Updated: August 05, 2026

Looking to grow something new? Plant breeders put much effort into developing new fruit and nut varieties. American Fruit Grower recognizes this, and is excited to showcase them here. Check out several unique fruit and nut varieties from Adams County Nursery, Brandt’s Fruit Trees, Burchell Nursery, and Nourse Farms.

1 of 7

1 of 7

Encore (Nourse Farms)

‘Encore’ is vigorous, sturdy, upright, and nearly spineless with excellent winter hardiness and high yields. Berries are large with very cohesive drupelets and good flavor. 'Encore’ is a good choice for extending the summer raspberry-picking season.

Best growing regions: USDA Zones 4-7

https://noursefarms.com/product/encore/
2 of 7

Mandy Brand Apple Inolov cv. (Brandt’s Fruit Trees)

A bi-colored apple with smooth, non-russeted skin and elongated shape. It features a sweet, balanced flavor and flesh that is crunchy, juicy, and firm. It harvests between ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Braeburn’. The tree is productive and grower -friendly.

Best growing regions: Well adapted to all traditional apple growing areas.

Disease resistance: A scab resistant selection from NOVADI.

https://Brandtsfruittrees.com/apples 
3 of 7

Prelude (Nourse Farms)

An excellent choice when early fruit and quality are required, ‘Prelude’ is very winter-hardy and vigorous. Berries are round-conic, have cohesive drupelets, and very good flavor.

Best growing regions: USDA Zones 4-8

https://noursefarms.com/product/prelude/
4 of 7

Pyrenees Brand Almond (Burchell Nursery, Inc.)

Self-fertile variety with good nut size and great flavor. Rated one of the best by the Almond Board of California taste test panel. High crack out with a good nut seal means less worm damage. Harvests 14 to 21 days after ‘Nonpareil’ and blooms three to four days after ‘Nonpareil’.

Best growing regions: California

https://www.burchellnursery.com/almonds
5 of 7

RubyRush brand - NJ150 Cltv. PP#33,546 (Adams County Nursery)

An exciting new release from the apple breeding program at Rutgers University, this selection combines disease tolerance with a great eating experience.

Best growing regions: Any

Disease resistance: Scab resistant and highly tolerant to fire blight and cedar apple rust.

https://acnursery.com/product/rubyrush/
6 of 7

Shasta Brand (Burchell Nursery, Inc.)

Beautiful, light and smooth kernel. 60% to 65% crack out. Sweet flavor. Shakes easily from the tree. Blooms and harvests with or slightly ahead of ‘Nonpareil’.

Best growing regions: California

https://www.burchellnursery.com/almonds
7 of 7

Story Brand Apple, Inored cv. (Brandt’s Fruit Trees)

An attractive apple featuring a dark red over-color on a yellow background. It is firm and sweet with a well-balanced sugar-to-acid ratio. The medium-vigor tree is very consistent and easy to grow. The harvest window is similar to ‘Granny Smith’.

Best growing regions: More study is needed for very cold climates.

Disease resistance: Part of the scab-resistant series from NOVADI 

https://Brandtsfruittrees.com/apples