Black Gilliflower apple
Very uniform in shape and size. Large, oblong, conical ribbed fruit. Dark red deepening to almost black. Greenish white flesh. Rich, mild, sweet flavor and distinctive aroma. Hangs long on the tree but must not be allowed to over ripen as flesh soon becomes dry.
USDA identification images for Black Gilliflower
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Visitor reviews
- 25 Nov 2015 Carter WilkieMASSACHUSETTS, United StatesA dry apple with very little to no juice. Becomes very dry and fibrous in storage. One apple that makes Red Delicious taste... well, delicious by comparison. Bleech.
- 17 Oct 2014 Sue WilsonCT, United StatesI have a Sheepnose volunteer on my property. It's about 30' tall and wide. It is a prodigious produces and the apples are crisp, sweet and perfumy. I have a 2' high Sheepnose that I grew from seed in a pot so that I can take it with me when I move. When making a pie add some apple or cranberry juice to the apple mix.
- 03 May 2014 TomCO, United StatesI grew up on a farm in PA growing 'sheepnose' apples; They are a very sweet & delicious eating apple. They are hardy and last well. Will make good pies but tend to be a little dry for pies. Excellant apple variety!
Tree register
United States
- Brian Wilt in Jackson, OHIO
- Dan Pletcher in Goshen, INDIANA / ELKHART
- Daniel C in Sabetha, KANSAS
- Gina Colver in EPHRATA, WASHINGTON
- Herdie Baisden in STOCKHOLM, WI
- James Dierberger in Hebron, CT
- Matt Kaminsky in Mansfield, CT
- Paul Hammen in BONDUEL, WISCONSIN
- Rick Simoniello in Storrs / Mansfield, CT
- Thomas Griffith in Cottage Grove, WI
Canada
- Bill O'Keefe in Dobbinton, ONTARIO
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Originates from: Connecticut, United States
- Introduced: 18th century
Identification
- Country of origin: United States
- Fruit size: Average
- Fruit size: Large
Using
- Picking season: Late
- Flavour quality: Good
- Flavour quality: Average
- Flavour style (apples): Sweet/Sharp
- Flavour style (apples): Aromatic
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Food uses: Drying
- Flavour style (apples): Dry / nutty
Growing
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Black Gilliflower:
United States
Connecticut
- Seek No Further Orchard, Hebron
Iowa
- Wilson's Orchard, Iowa City
New Hampshire
- Alyson's Apple Orchard, Walpole
- Old Ciderpress Farm, Westmoreland
Washington
- Skipley Farm, Snohomish *** Feature Orchard ***
Wisconsin
- Door Creek Orchard, Cottage Grove