One of the earliest products of the famous collaboration between Purdue, Rutgers and Illinois universities (hence the "PRI" in the variety name) Priscilla is one of the most disease-resistant apples available.
Priscilla apple identification images
All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.
USDA identification images for Priscilla
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
- 12 Oct 2024We have had a Priscilla tree for 45 years. We purchased it with a Prima as a companion for the organic garden. Both are semi-dwarf. We no longer eat the Primas due to apple scab and insect damage, but the Priscilla is healthy and mostly trouble free except for minimal fly maggot damage. The fresh flavor is exquisite and varies from year to year. The fruit cooks well in dessert dishes and makes pink applesauce. We usually harvest early to mid October, and refrigerate as we can from the last picking. We eat them until March of the following year. Over time in storage the flavor changes but is still sweet. I know of only one other person who has a Priscilla in this area (Northwest Washington). This great variety should have much wider appreciation. (I couldn’t access your tasting notes.)
- 25 Jun 2019 TN, United StatesMy Priscilla apple tree bears heavily each year. I think it is one of the best tasting early apples that can be eaten fresh off the tree.
- 20 Aug 2012 LOUISIANA, United StatesI bought Priscilla apples this past weekend at a farmers' market in Kenner, Louisiana. The apples came from Hancock County, Mississippi. I made a cobbler with them yesterday. The fruit did very well when baked; did not break down under baking temperatures.
Tree register
United States
- Beverly Mutrie in Hampton Falls, NH
- Craig Sheehan in Winchester, KY
- Glenda in Gold Hill, OR
- J.P.Curry in Sturgeon, MO
- Jon Shannon in Shaw Island, WA
- Kretschmann Family Organic Farm in ROCHESTER, PA
- Matt in Emmett, MI
- Mike Haller in SIOUX CITY, IOWA
Denmark
- Bent Ransborg in Langaa,
New Zealand
- Giles in HAMILTON, WAIKATO
- Heather Holder-Lunn in Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND
Bulgaria
- Marin Marinov in Kubrat, RAZGRAD
Spring blossom records for this variety
2015 season
- May 2015 - tree owned by Beverly in Hampton Falls, United States
2014 season
- 25th April 2014 - tree owned by J.P.Curry in Sturgeon, United States
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Parentage: Starking Delicious x PRI 610-2
- Originates from: Lafayette, Indiana, United States
- Introduced: 1972
- Developed by: PRI (Purdue, Rutgers, Illinois Co Op)
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1974-179
Identification
- Country of origin: United States
- Period of origin: 1950 - 1999
- Fruit colour: Red
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
Using
- Picking season: Mid
- Keeping (of fruit): 1-2 months
- Flavour quality: Average
- Flavour style (apples): Sharper
- Cropping: Good
- Fruit persistence: Ripens over a period
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Picking period: early September
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Beginner
- Flowering group: 3
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Growth habit: Spreading / Flat-topped
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Organic culture: Suitable
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
Climate
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Good
- Scab (Apple and Pear): Very resistant
- Fire blight: Very resistant
- Cedar apple rust: Very resistant
- Powdery mildew: Some resistance
- Canker: Some susceptibility
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Priscilla:
United States
Idaho
- BYU-Idaho Apple Orchard Museum, Rexburg
Indiana
- Chandler's Farm, Fillmore
- Crosby's Orchard, Lawrenceburg
- Doud's Countyline Orchard, Wabash
Iowa
- Allen's Orchard, Marion
- Countryside Orchard, Lansing
Maine
- Hooper's Orchard, Monroe
- Sweetser's Apple Barrel and Orchards, Cumberland Center
Michigan
- Alber's Orchard & Cider Mill, Manchester
New York
- Black Diamond Farm, Trumansburg
Washington
- Skipley Farm, Snohomish *** Feature Orchard ***
Canada
Ontario
- Waddell Apples, Kingston
References
- Cedar-Apple Rust
Author: Stephen Vann, University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture (FSA7538)
Rated as resistant - control only needed under high disease pressure.