The comprehensive resource for apples and orchards

Jonagold apple

A very popular commercial variety, with a good flavour. Inherits many of the good qualities of its parents Jonathan and Golden Delicious.

Jonagold is high quality American apple, developed in the 1940s. As its name suggests, this is a cross between a Jonathan and a Golden Delicious. It is quite widely grown, and unusually for a Golden Delicious cross, is not limited to the warm apple regions, although it is not often found in the UK.

Jonagold is a large apple, and makes a substantial snack. If you are struggling to eat your 5 portions of fruit and veg per day, this can help!  The large size is a good clue that this is a triploid apple variety, with 3 sets of genes.  As a result it is a poor pollinator of other apple varieties, and needs two different nearby compatible pollinating apple varieties.  Golden Delicious is well-known as a good pollinator of other apple varieties, but cannot pollinate Jonagold.

The colouring is yellow of Golden Delicious, with large flushes of red. This is a crisp apple to bite into, with gleaming white flesh. The flavour is sweet but with a lot of balancing acidity - a very pleasant apple.

Jonagold's other parent, Jonathan, is an old American variety which was discovered in the 1820s.

In the UK Jonagold sometimes appears in supermarkets in the spring packaged as "value" apples, often from Holland, and at a very low price.  We are trying to find out more about these apples, but it seems that they are mainly "second" quality apples which are nearing the end of their storage life and are surplus to other uses.

Jonagold is widely-grown by commercial growers, and there are a number of more highly-coloured sports.  Jonagored is probably the most widely known of these.  Others include: Decosta, Primo, Rubinstar, Red Jonaprince.

Last updated 03 Apr 2011.

Summary

  • Species: Malus domestica
  • Parentage: Golden Delicious x Jonathan
  • Origin: Geneva, New York, United States
  • Introduced: 1943
  • Developed by: New York State Agricultural Experiment Station
  • Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 103300

Identification

  • Bultitude apple group: 6. Red flushed, smooth, sweet

Using

  • Good for eating fresh
  • Good for cooking
  • Good for juice
  • Good for hard cider
  • Flavour quality: Very good
  • Flavour style: Sweet/Sharp
  • Ripening period: Late season
  • Use / keeping: 1-2 months

Growing

  • Cropping: Heavy
  • Flowering period: Late season
  • Flowering group: 5
  • Fertility: Self-sterile
  • Triploid: Yes
  • Poor pollinator: Yes
  • Vigour: Large
  • Gardening skill: Average
  • General disease resistance: Poor

Climate

  • Suitable for warm climates
  • Suitable for temperate climates
  • Tolerates cold winters
  • Suitable for NW. Scotland?: No

Other qualities

  • RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993

Disease resistance

  • Bacterial canker  Pseudomonas syringae  - Some susceptibility
  • Scab  - Some susceptibility
  • Fireblight  - Some susceptibility
  • Cedar apple rust  - Some susceptibility

Relationships to other varieties

Parents and other ancestors of this variety:

Offspring of this variety:

Jonagold identification photos from official fruit collections


UK National Fruit Collection

©Crown Copyright more >
UK National Fruit Collection

Jonagold identification photos from website visitors


Jonagold tape


Jonagold


Rate this variety for flavor

Current rating: 3 out of 5. Total votes cast: 12
 

Visitor comments

(Use the form at the bottom to add your own comments about this variety)

18 Oct 2011 KenzIDAHO, United States
I recently found Jonagolds at a regional grocery store and bought them because they were big, and they had a special. Little did I know that I was about to bite into the best apple I've ever had. Great to eat with peanut butter (chunky!) and great plain too. I love the taste where it's not too tart but not too sweet. The only problem is, most stores don't carry them!
03 Jul 2011 JicSURREY, United Kingdom
The absolute worst apple variety available on the mass market. They always look beautiful, but taste of nothing. I'd rather go without apples than eat Jonagolds.
13 Jan 2011 Patrick sVA, United States
Our local Costco sells them from PA. Apples from the US northeast are the best d/t the climate and limestone soil imparting excellent flavor. Jonagolds are a perfect combo of tart/sweet and firm but juicy. There only weakness is they soften a little faster if not refigerated. I've a tree growing them -but I think someone took the first dozen or so. Not surprised.
12 Nov 2010 Monique ReedTEXAS, United States
Our botany class has an apple tasting each semester. For fall 2010, this was the clear winner--crisp, juicy, sweet and tart. Seldom disappoints!
06 Oct 2010 DaveWASHINGTON, United States
An excellent apple. I grow several strains. For baking by far the best is Jonaprince. It's flavor is tops!
26 Apr 2010 Ursula HawkinsONTARIO, Canada
I am planning of planting a new apple tree to replace one that I have lost. I have heard a lot of good things about the Jonagold Apple. I am looking for an apple that is good eating as well as a good cooking apple. Am I on the right track? I would be interested in your comments.
16 Apr 2010 David HuntBEDS, United Kingdom
Regarding the cheapness in supermarkets, I offer two possible explanations: 1. They are often irregular in shape and size. This devalues them in the eyes of the big retailers. 2. I've noticed that the supermarkets where I shop only put out one small box at a time. This makes me wonder if retailers are using it as a loss leader to reduce their average per/kilo price of apples.
15 Nov 2009 NiamhIRELAND, Ireland
Very commanly found grown in Ireland, often organically. Therefore it must be a fairly hardy apple. Some Irish-centric info can be found here.... http://www.theapplefarm.com/celtic/jonagored.htm
30 Oct 2009 Geoff DriscollSUTTON SURREY, United Kingdom
At a farmers' market they selling a multitude of different apples and as I eat an apple every day I was drawn to the one I'd never heard of. I bought a bag of Jonagold. A taste bomb, it is crisp, juicy a big. The best ever.
23 Sep 2009 LindaENGLAND, United Kingdom
By far the best tasting apple I have ever tried, very similar to the apples I used to eat off my nans tree about 45 years ago I never knew what sort they were and have never found any as nice since until now these taste exactly the same, gorgeous.
01 Sep 2009 Miles MellonieSALE, MANCHESTER, United Kingdom
This is an important improvement to apple growing quality
08 Jul 2009 John BurgessWINSFORD, CHESHIRE, United Kingdom
What does Rob Barlow use to pollenate his Jonagold?
17 Jun 2009 Rob BarlowDAVENHAM CHESHIRE ENGLAND, United Kingdom
I note the comment " Not grown in UK -- often 2 I have been growing these apples for quite a few years now -- quite succesfully A realy good apple but did not know it was a USA developed
11 Mar 2009 Ray HobbyTATURA.VICTORIA.AUSTRALIA, Australia
I have bought these apples down at Geeveston,a cold area in southern Tasmania.I love anything and everything apple and thes are without doubt the best apples I have ever eaten.
23 Dec 2008 Miranda PhillipsST IVES, CORNWALL, United Kingdom
I'm passionate about apples, and on holiday this October in Macedonia I saw huge crops of Jonagold, Golden Delicious and (a few) Jonathans and Galas being gathered in. I had no idea that Macedonia was a major producer, as the only Jonagold I've seen in the UK have been Dutch, but apparently Macedonia exports mainly to the Gulf States ! I bought Jonagold for the first time as I'll always try a variety I've not seen before - and they were (still are) amazingly cheap. I like them a lot, I enjoy their crisp, slightly orangey sharp/sweetness, their juiciness and the fact that they are good "keepers". Other favourites Egremont russet, crisp cox (there are always some disappointingly soft ones), new season Discovery, James Grieve, Kidd's Orange.
14 Dec 2008 TerrySAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, United States
I have never liked apples or even apple pie because I didn't like the taste or the peeling of an apple, then I tried a Gala Apple because of thin skin it was a winner with me. One day while shopping for some apples, I saw a JonaGold and decided to try it. The color was striking and the taste was out of this world, it is by far the best tasting apple ever. I eat one everyday and will be sad when the season is gone I have become addicted to them. The price is a dollar or two cheaper than the rest, but I like that. An apple that is the best tasting ever at an affordable price is a WINNER.
12 Nov 2008 GoranBULGARIA, Bulgaria
The best tasting apples. Very crisp and aromatic. You can notice the fragrance right away when you cut them! There are a sport of Jonagold - "Decoster", with a litle more acidic taste - superior!
11 Jul 2008 Mike FieldDURHAM UK, United Kingdom
Half the price of other varieties. Firm, slightly acidic flesh. Best peeled and sliced into segments with a touch of sugar, rather than eaten whole (and I'm not a sweet-tooth). Big enough to make a good baked apple by the looks of it.
24 Jun 2008 MaryBOSTON, United States
Fear not, folks: this variety has been sold Stateside for decades with very few problems and has origins in one of the oldest apple growing regions in the nation. My guess is the ones you are eating are direct from the farm, so you should be fine.
29 May 2008 Sarah CoyleTILLATOBA, MS, United States
Undoubtedly the best tasting apple I have ever tried! My only problem is they are difficult to find in my area. If you like a crisp firm apple the is slightly sweet and tangy at the same time, try these!!
13 May 2008 JohnMELBOURNE, Australia
It is cheap also in Australia. about $1-2 difference with other varieties. Makes me worry
19 Apr 2008 KateKENT, United Kingdom
I've had similar concerns to those of Cliff, does anyone know why they are so cheap?
20 Jan 2008 CliffDORSET, ENGLAND, United Kingdom
I agree with your tasting notes but what worries me is why they are so extremely cheap in s/markets, viz. 27p per kg against 63p per kg + for most other varities. Are they stock-piled somewhere in the EU? Are they as safe to eat? Are they subject more to pests & subsequently sprayed heavily? I would be grateful for your comments. Thanks.
17 Sep 2007 LauraCORNELL UNIVERSITY, United States
This apple variety was created at Cornell University.

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Fruit tree register

Do you have a tree of this variety in your garden or orchard? If so please register the details here and contribute to our international register of fruit trees.

The following Jonagold trees have been registered - click the name to view more details of each tree.

You can also view these trees on a map.

United States

United Kingdom

Hungary

Ireland

Netherlands

Canada

Australia

  • Jenny in MELBOURNE, VICTORIA,
  • Steve Kilburn in GARDEN ISLAND CREEK, TASMANIA AUSTRALIA

New Zealand

Poland



Latest Spring blossom records for this variety

2011 season

  • May  2011  - tree owned by v in LUCKNOW, Canada
  • 25th April  2011  - tree owned by Barbara in GT. YARMOUTH, United Kingdom
  • 21st April  2011  - tree owned by Karel in alem, Netherlands

2009 season

  • 4th April  2009  - tree owned by Mrs Tri in Redditch, United Kingdom

Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.

Latest harvest records for this variety

2011 season

  • 1st week October  2011  - tree owned by v in LUCKNOW, Canada

2009 season

  • 2nd week September  2009  - tree owned by Mrs Tri in Redditch, United Kingdom

Mature heights for Jonagold trees

This table shows the likely mature height for a Jonagold tree taking into account the vigor of the variety, the rootstock, and soil conditions.

Rootstock Soil quality
Poor Below average Average Above average Very good
P22 3.2 ft
1.0 m		 3.9 ft
1.2 m		 4.7 ft
1.5 m		 5.5 ft
1.7 m		 6.3 ft
1.9 m
M27 3.6 ft
1.1 m		 4.5 ft
1.4 m		 5.4 ft
1.7 m		 6.3 ft
1.9 m		 7.2 ft
2.2 m
M9 5.4 ft
1.7 m		 6.8 ft
2.1 m		 8.1 ft
2.5 m		 9.5 ft
2.9 m		 10.8 ft
3.3 m
Bud.9 5.4 ft
1.7 m		 6.8 ft
2.1 m		 8.1 ft
2.5 m		 9.5 ft
2.9 m		 10.8 ft
3.3 m
Geneva 16 5.4 ft
1.7 m		 6.8 ft
2.1 m		 8.1 ft
2.5 m		 9.5 ft
2.9 m		 10.8 ft
3.3 m
Geneva 11 6.3 ft
1.9 m		 7.9 ft
2.4 m		 9.5 ft
2.9 m		 11.0 ft
3.4 m		 12.6 ft
3.9 m
M26 6.8 ft
2.1 m		 8.4 ft
2.6 m		 10.1 ft
3.1 m		 11.8 ft
3.6 m		 13.5 ft
4.1 m
Geneva 30 7.2 ft
2.2 m		 9.0 ft
2.8 m		 10.8 ft
3.3 m		 12.6 ft
3.9 m		 14.4 ft
4.4 m
MM102 7.2 ft
2.2 m		 9.0 ft
2.8 m		 10.8 ft
3.3 m		 12.6 ft
3.9 m		 14.4 ft
4.4 m
M7 8.1 ft
2.5 m		 10.1 ft
3.1 m		 12.2 ft
3.7 m		 14.2 ft
4.3 m		 16.2 ft
5.0 m
M116 8.1 ft
2.5 m		 10.1 ft
3.1 m		 12.2 ft
3.7 m		 14.2 ft
4.3 m		 16.2 ft
5.0 m
MM106 9.0 ft
2.8 m		 11.3 ft
3.5 m		 13.5 ft
4.1 m		 15.8 ft
4.8 m		 18.0 ft
5.5 m
MM111 10.8 ft
3.3 m		 13.5 ft
4.1 m		 16.2 ft
5.0 m		 18.9 ft
5.8 m		 21.6 ft
6.6 m
Bud.118 11.7 ft
3.6 m		 14.6 ft
4.5 m		 17.6 ft
5.4 m		 20.5 ft
6.3 m		 23.4 ft
7.2 m
M25 13.5 ft
4.1 m		 16.9 ft
5.2 m		 20.3 ft
6.2 m		 23.6 ft
7.2 m		 27.0 ft
8.3 m

From an idea by N. Buck - more details.

Where to buy apple trees

The following fruit tree nurseries offer Jonagold apple trees for sale:

Where to buy apples

The following orchards and suppliers offer Jonagold apples for sale. map >

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