Highland Beauty
Apple
Highland Beauty
Origin/History
Highland Beauty originated in the garden of the late William Roe, Newburgh, N.Y. It is a seedling of the Lady apple, first exhibited before the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in 1881 as a new variety. Manning (1881) noted that "in size it surpasses its parent but not in quality." Downing described it as a promising addition for dessert. Beach (1905) observed that it does not appear to be known in cultivation to any considerable extent.
References: Manning, Mass. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1881:232; Downing, 1881:88 app. fig.; Dempsey, Ont. Fr. Stas. An. Rpt., 2:32, 1895.
Tree
Thrifty, moderately vigorous, forming a round head. An abundant bearer on alternate years, with a light crop in the non-bearing season.
Fruit
Size and form: Small to medium, oblate, slightly conical, somewhat angular. The fruit is of the Lady type, though surpassing its parent in size.
Stem: Short to medium.
Cavity: Broad, deep, sometimes a little russet.
Calyx: Closed.
Basin: Large, deep, corrugated.
Skin: Smooth. The ground color is described by Downing as almost waxen white; Beach describes it as clear, smooth yellow or almost waxen white. The sun-exposed surface is described by Downing as often a shade of bright red or carmine; Beach describes it as blushed with brilliant carmine. Downing notes a few scattering grayish dots; Beach does not mention dots.
Flesh and flavor: White, fine, crisp, tender, juicy, mild subacid, with a refreshing flavor. Quality rated very good by both sources. Beach notes it does not equal the Lady in quality.
Core: Rather small.
Season
January to March.
Uses
Dessert. Keeps well.
Subtypes/Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Not described in source.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)Highland Beauty.
A new variety which originated in the garden of the late William Roe, Newburgh, N. Y.; it is a beautiful apple, of very good quality, keeps well, and is a promising addition for the dessert. Tree thrifty, moderately vigorous, forming a round head; an abundant bearer on alternate years, with a light crop the non-bearing season.
Fruit small to medium, oblate, slightly conical, somewhat angular; skin smooth, almost waxen white, often a shade of bright red or carmine in the sun, and a few scattering grayish dots; stalk short to medium; cavity broad, deep, sometimes a little russet; calyx closed; basin large, deep, corrugated; flesh white, fine, crisp, tender, juicy, mild, refreshing subacid flavor, of very good quality; core rather small. Season January, March.
— S.A. Beach, The Apples of New York, Vol. 1 (1905)HIGHLAND BEAUTY.
REFERENCES. 1. Manning, Mass. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1881:232. 2. Downing, 1881:88 app. fig. 3. Dempsey, Ont. Fr. Stas. An. Rpt., 2:32. 1895.
A seedling of the Lady exhibited before the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in 1881 as a new variety. "In size it surpasses its parent but not in quality" (1). The fruit is of the Lady type. Skin clear, smooth yellow or almost waxen white, blushed with brilliant carmine. Flesh white, crisp, tender, juicy, mild subacid, very good. Season January to March (1, 2, 3). It does not appear to be known in cultivation to any considerable extent.