Minnesota Nursery Research Corporation
Supporting Horticultural Discoveries at the University of Minnesota
Northcountry Blueberry
Northcountry offers exceptional wild blueberry flavor. A reliably cold-hardy variety, Northcountry ripens in late June to early July. Its glossy green foliage turns scarlet in fall.
- Species: Vaccinium ‘Northcountry’
- Introduction: 1986
- Height: 18-24 inches
- Spread: 24-36 inches
- Zones: 3-7
- Yield: 3–5 lbs / bush
Northblue Blueberry
Northblue’s large, dark blue, firm berries have a good, fresh flavor. Its compact habit makes it a great option for zone 3 gardens. Berries ripen mid-season and the foliage turns a combination of yellow, orange and red in fall.
- Species: Vaccinium ‘Northblue’
- Introduction: 1983
- Height: 24-36 inches
- Spread: 30-40 inches
- Zones: 3-7
- Yield: 3–9 lbs / bush
Chippewa Blueberry
Chippewa is a very hardy hybrid blueberry with a compact habit and beautiful fall color. It is the most productive of all U of M blueberry varieties, producing huge crops of large, sweet light blue fruit in mid summer.
- Species: Vaccinium ‘Chippewa’
- Introduction: 1996
- Height: 30-40 inches
- Spread: 30-60 inches
- Zones: 3-7
- Yield: 3–8 lbs / bush
True North™ Kentucky Coffeetree
True North™ Kentucky coffeetree is notable for its narrow, upright-oval crown and superior branch architecture. It is a seedless, male specimen, so there are no messy seedpods to clean up. Like all Kentucky coffeetrees,True North™ is a tough, adaptable tree that can tolerate heat, drought and a range of soil pHs.
Kentucky coffeetrees lack significant diseases or pests making them an excellent alternative to ash.
- Species: Gymnocladus dioicus ‘UMNSynergy’
- Introduction: 2015
- Height: 50-70 feet
- Spread: 25-35 feet
- Zones: 4-9
True North™ Kentucky Coffeetree Fact Sheet
Edelweiss Grape Vine
Extremely disease resistant and vigorous. Green-white with high sugar content, good “grapy” taste. Joint release with Elmer Swenson.
- Species: Vitis ‘Edelweiss’
- Type: Dessert and White wine
- Introduction: 1977
- Zones: 4-8
Frontenac blanc
Meet the latest addition to the Frontenac family! In the vineyard, Frontenac blanc performs identically to Frontenac and Frontenac gris. Very productive, vigorous, immune to downy mildew, and hardy to near -36F. Ripens late mid season with moderate to high acidity.
- Species: Vitis ‘Frontenac’
- Type: White wine
- Introduction: 2012
- Zones: 3-8
Frontenac Grape Vine
Hardy to -30°F and produces a very good quality juice for wine making. Vigorous and very disease resistant. Wine has flavors of cherry and plum. Can be high in acidity.
- Species: Vitis ‘Frontenac’
- Type: Red and rosé wine, port
- Introduction: 1996
- Zones: 4-8
Keepsake Apple Tree
Striped red, juicy, moderately tart fruit good for eating and cooking. The fruit will store for 2 to 4 weeks. Tree is susceptible to fire blight and somewhat prone to biannual bearing.
- Species: Malus domestica
- Parentage: Mantet x Oriole
- Introduction: 1978
- Bloom Date: Early-season
- Ripening Date: Mid to Late August
- Zone: 3-8
State Fair Apple Tree
Very hard and crisp with yellow flesh and an exotic sweet, spicy flavor. Good for fresh eating and cooking. The fruit will store for 6 months. Tree is of medium vigor and easy to manage.
- Species: Malus domestica
- Parentage: Malinda x Northern Spy
- Introduction: 1977
- Bloom Date: Late-season
- Ripening Date: Mid October
- Zone: 3-7
Frostbite™ Apple Tree
Known as MN 447, Frostbite™ is an older cultivar that has been used as a parent in breeding apples at the University since the 1920s. Its fruit is small to medium in size, but is very firm, crisp and juicy. It is extremely hardy to USDA Zone 3b (-30 to -35°F). Its small size and unique flavor make it an excellent cider apple.
- Species: Malus domestica ‘Frostbite’
- Parentage: Unknown
- Introduction: 2008
- Bloom Date: Mid-season
- Ripening Date: Late September to mid-October
- Zone: 3-7
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