What Apple Tree to Plant with Jonathan?

Jonathan is a popular apple cultivar prized for its tart and crispy flavor. If you're planning to grow Jonathan in your backyard or orchard, you may be wondering what other apple trees would make good pollinators or companions. Here are some options to consider:

1. Golden Delicious

Golden Delicious is a classic American apple cultivar known for its yellow-green skin and sweet, juicy flesh. It's also an excellent pollinator for Jonathan, as both trees bloom at the same time and have complementary flowering patterns. Golden Delicious can help boost the fruit yield and quality of your Jonathan tree, and vice versa.

2. Rome

Rome is a popular apple cultivar that shares many similarities with Jonathan. It has a similar taste profile, texture, and appearance, which means it can be an excellent companion tree in terms of aesthetics and flavor. However, Rome blooms a bit later than Jonathan, so it may not be the best pollinator unless you have other early-blooming apple trees nearby.

3. Granny Smith

Granny Smith is a tart and tangy apple cultivar that can add some extra zest to your Jonathan harvest. It blooms at the same time as Jonathan and can serve as a reliable pollinator. Moreover, Granny Smith is a good option if you want to extend your harvest season, as it ripens later than Jonathan and can keep well for several months in cold storage.

4. Empire

Empire is a newer apple cultivar that has gained popularity for its crisp texture and well-balanced flavor. It's a hybrid of McIntosh and Red Delicious, so it can bring some of the sweetness and aromatic notes of those varieties to your Jonathan tree. Empire also blooms at the same time as Jonathan and can help with cross-pollination.

5. Honeycrisp

Honeycrisp is a beloved modern apple cultivar that has taken the market by storm with its juicy and crunchy texture and complex flavor. It's a bit sweeter than Jonathan, but it can still make a good companion tree if you want a more diverse apple harvest. Honeycrisp blooms at a different time than Jonathan, so it is not the best pollinator, but it can provide some genetic diversity to your orchard.

Of course, there are many other apple cultivars that you can plant with Jonathan, depending on your taste preferences, growing conditions, and orchard goals. Some other options to consider are Braeburn, Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, and Arkansas Black. Regardless of which tree you choose, make sure to give it enough space, sunlight, water, and nutrients to thrive, and to follow proper pruning and pest control practices.

Happy planting!