Name: Lucy™ Gem® Apple Tree | Red-Fleshed Dessert Apple
SKU: Apple Tree (Lucy Gem)
Availability: InStock

Apple Tree (Lucy Gem)

Yellow striking red flesh juicy and crisp with complex berry-like flavors.

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Arrives healthy, guaranteed. Problem within 14 days? Send a photo and we replace it or credit you.

Ships in 1 to 4 business days from our nursery in Washington state, in a 36 inch box.

Grows in zones 4 to 8.

Description

Lucy™ Gem® was bred to solve a long-standing problem with red-fleshed apples: great color, but harsh flavor. This variety changes that story. It combines true red flesh with a crisp, juicy bite and a balanced sweet-tart flavor that’s genuinely enjoyable fresh.

Cut one open and the surprise is immediate—the interior glows pink to red, strongest near the core, creating a dramatic contrast that delights kids and adults alike. Unlike novelty red apples of the past, Lucy™ Gem® is meant to be eaten firm and crisp, with clean flavor and refreshing juice.

Ripening in mid-season, Lucy™ Gem® shines as a fresh-eating apple for slicing, snacking, salads, and presentation. It’s a high-impact variety that earns its place not just for looks, but for taste.

Overview

Dessert-quality red-fleshed apple (not a novelty)
Crisp, juicy texture with balanced sweet-tart flavor
Vivid red interior that surprises when sliced
Mid-season ripening
Pollination required for fruit set

Growing Details

Latin Name: Malus domestica ‘Lucy™ Gem®’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Chill Requirement: Approximately 500–600 hours
Hardiness: USDA Zone 4–8
Rootstock: M-106 (semi-dwarf)
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size at Maturity: Typically maintained at 12–16 ft tall and wide with pruning
Bloom Time: Mid-season
Ripening Time: Mid-season; typically late September to early October (varies by region)
Flowering Group: Group 3 (mid-season)
Pollination: Pollination required; plant a compatible apple variety within 20–30 feet
Pests & Diseases: Standard apple pest and disease considerations; good airflow and routine care are important
Yield: Reliable producer once established

Additional Notes

Grower’s Insight: Lucy™ Gem® was bred specifically to make a red-fleshed apple that actually tastes good—crisp, juicy, and balanced instead of sour or harsh.
Regional Insight: Performs well across a wide range of temperate regions, including the Pacific Northwest, where mid-season apples finish cleanly with good color.
Flesh color is naturally pigmented and varies with maturity and growing conditions.
Best enjoyed fresh; storage life is shorter than long-keeping apples.
Explore more apples in our collection: Apple Trees

Planting & Care

At a Glance – Lucy™ Gem® Apple

Sun: 1/2 day to full day of sun
Soil: Well-drained soil; avoid prolonged saturation
Water: Moderate; consistent moisture during establishment
Size: Semi-dwarf; easily maintained with pruning
Pollination: Required; plant a partner nearby
Harvest: Mid-season (late Sept–early Oct)
Hardiness: USDA Zone 4–8

Planting & Care – Lucy™ Gem® Apple

Site Selection

Choose a sunny site to support strong color and good flavor.
Good airflow helps maintain healthy foliage and fruit quality.
Avoid low, damp areas where moisture lingers.

Soil Preparation

Plant in deep, well-drained soil.
If soils are heavy, improve drainage or plant on a slight mound.
Ideal soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.0.

Planting Instructions

Dig a hole twice the width of the root system.
Plant with the root flare at or just above soil level.
Backfill with native soil and water thoroughly.
Mulch 2–3″ deep, keeping mulch away from the trunk.

Watering & Fertilizing

Water consistently during the first 1–2 years.
Deep water 1–2 times per week during dry periods.
Once established, water every 7–14 days during drought.
Apply a light, balanced fertilizer in early spring if growth is weak.

Pollination

Lucy™ Gem® requires another apple variety to set fruit.
Plant a compatible pollination partner within 20–30 feet.

Pruning & Training

Train to a central leader or modified central leader.
Prune annually to maintain structure, airflow, and light penetration.
Balanced pruning helps improve fruit quality and color.

Harvest & Use

Harvest when fruit is fully sized and colored.
Enjoy fresh for best flavor and texture.
Excellent for slicing, salads, and visual presentation.

General Tips

Thin fruit in heavy-set years to improve size and consistency.
Good sunlight enhances both flesh color and flavor.
Consistent early care leads to dependable mid-season harvests.

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