The Jonagold apple is a triploid, meaning it has sterile pollen, and requires preferably two other apple cultivars for pollination. Example pollinators include Gala, Empire, Fuji, and Honeycrisp. The fruit is crimson red stippled with yellow-gold showing through and has a splash or two of green-yellow color. It usually ripens in mid-September into October and holds well in the refrigerator for a few months. The Jonagold is available in dwarf (8-10 feet) or semi-dwarf (10-15 feet) sizes in height and width. Its growth rate is moderate and produces fruit in about 3 to 5 or 6 years, depending on soil and environment. Note that all apple tree fruit production will respond best to full sun and air movement around the tree and through its branches. It is not recommended to place the tree near taller trees or structures that would shade it for several hours each day. Air movement, sunlight, and good soil and drainage all lead to a healthy, productive tree and help reduce the number of diseases and pests to which apple trees are susceptible. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Jonagold is highly susceptible to scab, Cedar apple rust, and Fire blight. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common apple and crab apple diseases and other plant problems. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for " Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants " a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Malus domestica .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheMalus domestica 'Fuji'Malus domestica 'Ginger Gold'Malus domestica 'Stayman'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Edible; Tree
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12-24 feet
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
2 - Understory
Form & Appearance
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are variable, alternate, and simple.
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
A white flower cluster is formed in mid-spring. The five snow-white petals provide a beautiful display.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Pome
Fruit value
Edible; Good Dried
Fruit detail
The fruit (apple) is bright red with a yellow-green basic color showing through the red. There is usually a splash of yellow-green color on the apple.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
United States, New York
Wildlife value
pollinators during spring flowering
Attracts
Bees
Play value
Attracts Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Pome
Edibility
It forms large and sweet fruit with a thin skin. It is crisp, juicy, aromatic and has a sour-sweet taste.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn
Landscape theme
Edible Garden
Design feature
Small groups
Garden tags
#deciduous #white flowers #full sun tolerant #native fruit tree #edible garden #frequent insect problems #frequent disease problems #edible fruit #full sun #apple tree #high maintenance
Problems & Resistance
Disease problems
Disease and Insect Management in the Home Orchard; Cedar Apple Rust