This apple variety takes its name from the Shenandoah valley, an apple-growing area of Virginia and West Virginia where it was first grown. In appearance it resembles the classic English apples of the 19th century, but its ancestry is all-American. Although Shenandoah was developed in the 1940s, it comes from traditional old American varieties, Winesap and Opalescent.
Like Opalescent, Shenandoah is a fairly large apple. When grown in the UK the flavour is sweet, with a slightly dry texture. In some ways it is quite similar to Kidds Orange Red, but without the full richness of that variety. It is perhaps not outstanding as a dessert apple, but versatile as a cooking apple - it keeps its shape when cooked, so for a really traditional American apple pie, Shenandoah is the ideal apple.
The Shenandoah Valley has a long history of apple growing, and there is an annual 6-day Apple Blossom Festival in the city of Winchester.
Like Opalescent, Shenandoah is a fairly large apple. When grown in the UK the flavour is sweet, with a slightly dry texture. In some ways it is quite similar to Kidds Orange Red, but without the full richness of that variety. It is perhaps not outstanding as a dessert apple, but versatile as a cooking apple - it keeps its shape when cooked, so for a really traditional American apple pie, Shenandoah is the ideal apple.
The Shenandoah Valley has a long history of apple growing, and there is an annual 6-day Apple Blossom Festival in the city of Winchester.
USDA identification images for Shenandoah
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.
Parents and other ancestors of this variety
- Opalescent (parent)
Visitor reviews
Tree register
United States
- Roger Miller in Madison Heights, VA
United Kingdom
- Ben Alofs in Bangor, GWYNEDD
Harvest records for this variety
2015 season
- October 2015 - tree owned by Roger in Madison Heights, United States
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Parentage: Opalescent
- Originates from: United States
- Introduced: 1940s
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1974-071
Identification
- Country of origin: United States
- Period of origin: 1950 - 1999
- Fruit colour: Green / Yellow
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
- Flesh colour: Cream
- Fruit size: Large
Using
- Picking season: Late
- Keeping (of fruit): 3 months or more
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Cropping: Heavy
- Fruit persistence: Normal ripening
- Food uses: Eating fresh
- Picking month: September
- Picking period: late September
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Gardening skill: Average
- Flowering group: 3
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Vigour: Slightly large
- Precocity: Precocious
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- Attractive features: Attractive flowers
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Sunlight: Prefers full sun
- Growth habit: Upright-spreading / Vase
Climate
- Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 5 (-29C)
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
- Climate suitability: Warm climates
- Cold-hardiness: Cold-hardy
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Good
- Fire blight: Some resistance
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Shenandoah apple trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA) United States
Shenandoah apple trees - Keepers Nursery
United Kingdom More >>
Where to buy fresh fruit
No orchards have registered as growing this variety. If you grow this and want to register please go to our Orchard Registration form.