| Crimson Beauty | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genus | Malus |
| Species | Malus pumila |
| Hybrid parentage | 'New Brunswicker' × 'Fameuse' |
| Cultivar | 'Crimson Beauty' |
| Marketing names | Early Red Bird |
| Origin | New Brunswick, Canada |
Crimson Beauty (originally Early Scarlet, sold commercially as Early Red Bird) is a cold-hardy apple cultivar developed by Francis Peabody Sharp in New Brunswick, Canada. It is an all-purpose variety suitable for fresh-eating and cooking.
After settling on the New Brunswicker to serve as the base for his hybridization experiments, Peabody Sharp started to work on developing cold-hardy apple cultivars. He developed the Crimson Beauty by crossing the New Brunswicker with the Fameuse, a variety popular in Quebec at the time. This made the Crimson Beauty the first true hybrid apple created via intentional, controlled cross-breeding.
Early in the 20th century, the Stark Brothers Nursery acquired the rights to the Crimson Beauty, and began selling it commercially under the name Early Red Bird.
References
- Hunter, Daryl. "Francis Peabody Sharp: Canada's first apple breeder". Carleton County Historical Society, Inc. Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
- "Early Red Bird". pomiferous.com. Pomiferous. 2021. Retrieved 26 Feb 2024.
Further reading
- Calhoun, Creighton Lee (2011-01-20). Old Southern Apples: A Comprehensive History and Description of Varieties for Collectors, Growers, and Fruit Enthusiasts, 2nd Edition. Chelsea Green Publishing. pp. 67–68. ISBN 978-1-60358-312-1.
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