Dolgo is a beautiful and flavorful heritage crabapple known for its small, elongated, deep red to purple-red fruit and its bright, tangy flavor. The crisp, juicy flesh is aromatic and distinctly tart, with enough sweetness to make it enjoyable for fresh eating for those who like a more lively apple flavor.

 

Dolgo is especially prized for jelly, preserves, canning, pickling, juice, and cider, producing a beautifully colored ruby-red jelly and flavorful pink cider.

 

It generally ripens in late August through early September, although the exact harvest time can vary by growing region. One of Dolgo's most special qualities is its remarkable cold hardiness and heavy, reliable production.

 

Originally selected from Russian crabapple seedlings collected in 1897 and introduced in the United States in 1917, Dolgo was valued not only for its edible fruit but also as a hardy rootstock and an excellent pollinator for other apple trees.

 

Its profusion of fragrant white spring blossoms, brilliant red fruit, and usefulness in the kitchen have made Dolgo a longtime favorite in northern orchards and home gardens.