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Karmijn de Sonnaville apple

A Cox-style apple from the Netherlands, very attractive autumnal colours, and the potential for very good flavor.

Karmijn de Sonnaville photo tape

Karmijn de Sonnaville was developed at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands during the 1950s.  It is a Cox-style variety, but with a distinctly more pronounced aromatic flavor.

Somewhat surprisingly for a relatively modern apple variety, the exact parentage is not known.  Cox's Orange Pippin is the female parent but the pollen source is uncertain, either Belle de Boskoop or Jonathan.  Since Belle de Boskoop and Jonathan have a passing resemblance to each other, and both also have quite strong flavours, it is difficult to guess which is the other parent.  We think it is more likely to be Belle de Boskoop, from the tendency to russet and the triploid nature.

Despite the part-English ancestry, Karmijn de Sonnaville does not grow well in the UK and can be simply hard and unpleasant in a poor year.  It does very well in the northern and central states of the USA, and has the potential for very good flavor.

Last updated 21 Mar 2011.

Summary

  • Species: Malus domestica
  • Parentage: Cox
  • Origin: Netherlands
  • Introduced: 1949
  • Developed by: Piet de Sonnaville, Wageningen University
  • Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 103500

Growing

  • Flowering period: Mid-Late season
  • Flowering group: 4
  • Fertility: Self-sterile
  • Triploid: Yes
  • Poor pollinator: Yes

Relationships to other varieties

Parents and other ancestors of this variety:

  • Cox's Orange Pippin (parent) - Cox's Orange Pippin is the female parent of Karmijn de Sonnaville

See also:

  • Belle de Boskoop - Thought to be the male parent of Karmijn de Sonnaville
  • Jonathan - Thought to be the male parent of Karmijn de Sonnaville

Karmijn de Sonnaville identification photos from official fruit collections


UK National Fruit Collection

©Crown Copyright more >
UK National Fruit Collection

Karmijn de Sonnaville identification photos from website visitors



Rate this variety for flavor

Current rating: 4 out of 5. Total votes cast: 6
 

Visitor comments

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

23 Jan 2012 Cees De RuiterNEDERLAND, Netherlands
Its not a apple from Wageningen bud from mister de Sonnaville he grows a lot of new varieties like Meiprinses and the newesr Lola
11 Oct 2010 Dave LiezenWA, United States
Drove halfway across the state to purchase heirloom apples; tasted KdJ for the first time. Wow! Got to work this into my back yard somehow.
23 Sep 2010 David a DawsonIN, United States
I purchased this tree as a two-year old from Raintree Nursery based on their intriguing description. Within two years I was able to sample the fruit, and can honestly say it revolutionized my feelings about apples - it is a wonderful variety, with intense yet balanced flavors, and ample sweetness and acidity. One of the three fruits was left to 'age' about 1 month before trying it, and the flavors had harmonized wonderfully. I am hoping to be able to grow it in my new location in Bloomington, IN (hotter summers, so I am pleased to hear reports of it doing well in N California).
06 Sep 2010 NimzoUnited States
Dave: I am growing it in a hot, dry part of Northern California where summer temperatures regularly approach, and can even exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It bears tasty fruit in my climate.
19 Jul 2010 Dave LiezenWA, United States
I saw a website that claimed this cultivar does best with cooler summers. Anyone in a drier and hotter locale that has done well with Karmijn de Sonnaville? I live in Spokane, high and dry on the eastern edge of Washington state. Thanks, Dave.
16 Dec 2008 T.M.BoerIJSSELSTEIN , Netherlands
First of all I love this apple for it's taste. And then ,how to pronounce the name. (car-mine de sonna-vil ) now that is not too difficult is it?
07 Oct 2007 Chalres KlawitterWASHINGTON, United States
How is this name pronounced?


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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 Karmijn de Sonnaville 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

Netherlands



Latest Spring blossom records for this variety

2011 season

  • 27th April  2011  - tree owned by Cammy in SAN DIEGO, United States
  • 22nd April  2011  - tree owned by Cammy in SAN DIEGO, United States
  • 22nd April  2011  - tree owned by Cammy in SAN DIEGO, United States

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

Where to buy apple trees

The following fruit tree nurseries offer Karmijn de Sonnaville apple trees for sale:

Where to buy apples

The following orchards and suppliers offer Karmijn de Sonnaville apples for sale. map >

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