Nov 29, 2017

Stark Scarlet Crush cultivar gets Green Thumb award

A new apple cultivar from Stark Bro’s Nurseries & Orchards was recently honored by the Direct Gardening Association.

Stark Scarlet Crush Apple Tree recently was one of two products honored in the edibles division of the association’s 2018 Green Thumb Award. Winners of the 2018 Green Thumb Awards were selected by an independent panel of garden writers and editors. The winning product was selected based on its uniqueness, technological innovation, ability to solve a gardening problem or provide a gardening opportunity, and potential appeal to gardeners.

Scarlet Crush was hailed as a “breakthrough in pomology,” in a release from the association. A cross of Pink Lady and Honeycrisp  (Cherry Parfait #19’ cultivar) the fruit tree offers the best of Honeycrisp – snap, sweetness and juice – coupled with Pink Lady’s ease of growing and tolerance of warmer climes.

Stark Scarlet Crush will thrive as far south as zone 7 and has exhibited resistance to bitter pit, scab and cedar apple rust. The conical apple is ready to pick in late September, extending the growing season for growers who have been frustrated by Honeycrisp’s short “here today, gone tomorrow” ripening window, according to the release.

The Green Thumb Awards recognize outstanding new garden products available by mail or online. The awards are sponsored by the Direct Gardening Association (DGA), a nonprofit association of companies that sell garden products directly to consumers via catalogs and websites. For more information visit www.directgardeningassociation.com.

Here is a complete list of the Green Thumb award winners:

Division One (Plants, Seeds, Bulbs)
• Proven Winners, Invincible Wee White® Smooth Hydrangea
• Plant Delights Nursery, Colocasia esculenta ‘Aloha’ ppaf

Division Two (Tools, Supplies, Accessories)
• CobraHead, CobraHead “mini” Weeder and Cultivator
• Gardener’s Supply Company, Kaleidoscope Tomato Tower

Division Three (Edibles)
• Stark Bro’s Nurseries & Orchards Co., Stark® Scarlet Crush™ Apple Tree (‘Cherry Parfait #19’ cultivar)
• Wood Prairie Family Farm, The Organic Potato Plant Detective

Above: Stark Scarlet Crush Apple Trees sell for $29.99 each on the Stark Bro’s website. Photo: Direct Gardening Association