Sundowner® apple

Sundowner apple identification images

All images copyright Orange Pippin unless otherwise stated.

USDA identification images for Sundowner

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

• 18 Sep 2023  Pitazg57

  My favourite Eatint apple
• 30 Apr 2022  Peter Smith

  This variety has a interesting complex flavour that is very appealing. Crisp white flesh. Pick fresh from tree as leaves deteriorate and the cold sets in. Fairly vigorous growing tree.
• 17 Aug 2017  TonyVICTORIA, Australia

  I just purchased my first sundowner apple, probably only because they were on special at the supermarket. WOW!! Crisp, juicy, sweet, flavoursome with a crisp clean finish. I am hooked. Now that is what I have been looking for in an apple.
• 09 Nov 2016  George MarieNV, United States

  Gave up on it. Only produced one apple for each of the last three years and they never ripened. Something is wrong about the zones, pollination or chill hours for Las Vegas NV area.
• 14 Jul 2016  Sandra ThormanNSW, Australia

  My favourite Apple variety. Mostly only found in Woolies in my part of the world, sometimes/rarely Aldi I don't understand why. Pink Lady is too acid for my taste. Fuji is also a favourite but 2nd to Sundowner.
• 12 Apr 2016  JojoSOUTH AUSTRALIA, Australia

  Best Apple available in Oz. I eat 6kg of apples a week, Sundowner bought straight from the grower are the perfect combination of crunch, sweetness and acidity. The perfect apple.
• 06 Aug 2015  LizVICTORIA, Australia

  I have been enjoying Sundowners every day this season for the first time and I love the sharper balance of sweetness and acidity. They also cook really well. A past Pink Lady fan, I am going to look for this variety every year.
• 25 Jul 2015  DrewNSW, Australia

  Love Sundowners! They are very similar to Pink Lady apples, which are probably my second favourite (no surprise given they are from the same parentage) but I think Sundowners are better. A perfect balance of sweetness and acidity which leaves me wanting to eat the core (or just going and getting another one out of the fridge!)
• 14 Jul 2013  M. ReedTX, United States

  Just had one labeled Joya from a Waitrose in London. S. African origin. Juicy and sweet, not as tart a Cripp's Pink. Browns readily.
• 14 Apr 2012  Peter AlldermanCAPE REGION, South Africa

  this one really needs a period of cold storage first before it is at its best taste which is rarely straight off the tree. The trademark is being changed from Sundowner(R) to JOYA(R)
• 16 Nov 2011  Richard TroonNSW, Australia

  I'm eating one right now, it's super delicious. I can feel the juices dripping down my chin. Munch, munch.
• 09 Mar 2011  Cathy MillerCALIFORNIA, United States

  I beleive I have a Sundowner apple tree that I bought from an Asian man years ago. The fruit is really tasty, and ripens in December-January. I need to spray it heavily, though, to avoid coddling moth infestation when it is flowering. Can you suggest a good spray that is organic? My gardening book suggest malithion and that is what I have been spraying. Thanks!Cathy Miller
• 12 Dec 2010  CyntheARIZONA / YAVAPAI COUNTY, United States

  New to Sundowner apples, which we bought at our local farm market yesterday. SUPERB fresh eating apple! Crisp, juicy, tart-sweet, incredible. (But the sellers had the genetic history all wrong...thought they were a cross between Pink Ladies & Fujis.) Baked a simple rustic apple tart last night with two leaving the skins on the thin slices. Will say they bake beautifully, retaining their shape...and don't turn to mush. Also, THANKS for this site! I've been doing a series of apple articles on www.FigsWithBri.com (my food blog) and come to Orange Pippin often for background info. I'm a wanna-be home orchardist in an apple growing county.
• 28 Aug 2010  Alan RushworthDEVON, United Kingdom

  Hi, Missing Sundowner this year Tesco dont have them where can I buy them?, roll on november then Kansi appear Cheers Alan
• 26 Apr 2010  SteveCALIFORNIA, United States

  I get Sundowners at our local farmers market. They are wonderfully crisp, slightly tart and keep better than any apple I've ever eaten. after 2-3 weeks at room temperature the Sundowner still retains a good deal of crispness. I wish I could find bare root Sundowners so I could grow them
• 14 Oct 2009  NiamhIRELAND, Ireland

  I love Sundowners. I wish you could get them organic in Irish supermarkets though.
• 16 Mar 2009  Brittany ParrisNOWRA,AUSTRALIA,NSW, Australia

  They rule, its the best apple iv'e ever had...

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• Australia2

Where to buy trees

The following tree nurseries offer Sundowner apple trees for sale:

• Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA) United States
  Cripps Red apple trees

Where to buy fresh fruit

The following orchards grow Sundowner:

United States

• California

  • Prevedelli Farms, Watsonville

• Georgia

  • Freedom Farms - Apple & Peach Orchard, Chatsworth

• Oregon

  • Haury Farms, Salem

References

• Apples for the 21st Century
  Author: Manhart