Calville Blanc D'Hiver

Family: Rosaceae Fruit

Bask in the luminous, honeyed perfume of Calville Blanc D’Hiver apples—crisp, juicy flesh with a bright, gently tart snap and a subtle floral sweetness.

The fruit’s pale, warm-ivory skin often carries a soft blush and a refined, waxy sheen, giving each apple a polished, heirloom look that feels as good as it tastes. Ideal for fresh enjoyment and for preserving into fragrant, spoonable favorites—its balanced flavor shines in sauces and keeps beautifully through the cool season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 180 DaysHabit: Shrub

Botanical illustration of Calville Blanc D'Hiver

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Growing note: Zone 6b has only 174 frost-free days — shorter than this crop's 180-day maturity. Outdoor planting is not viable; use protected cultivation.

Milestone	Date
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Growing Approach	Protected Environment Only

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	180
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Shrub
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Calville Blanc d’Hiver eats like a crisp, perfumed orchard breath—its honeyed aroma and gentle tartness stay intact when warmed, so you don’t need heavy sugar to get lift. Treat it with restraint: cold slices for maximum snap, or a controlled reduction where the flesh turns spoonable without collapsing into bland jam.

Best Uses

serve cold as sliced apples with minimal dressing so the floral snap stays clean
cook down into spoon-thick apple sauce or compote—sweet-sour stays lively instead of stewing flat
slow-reduce for a silky apple glaze or cider-adjacent syrup for pork and duck
poach or bake into tarte tatin–style caramelized slices where the fruit keeps structure

Flavor Profile

luminous honeyed perfume bright, gently tart snap crisp, glassy juicy bite subtle floral sweetness

Kitchen Pairings

sharp cheddar pork (loin or roast shoulder) walnuts Cinnamon butter fresh lemon juice

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely to affect Malus domestica (Calville Blanc d’Hiver), and what should I do?

Apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) is one of the most common, showing as olive-green to black spots on leaves and fruit in wet weather. Remove and destroy fallen leaves, improve air flow by keeping trees pruned, and apply a labeled apple scab fungicide starting at bud break and repeating as directed during high-risk periods. If you prefer non-spraying methods, choose a planting spot with good sun and airflow and keep the orchard floor clear to reduce spore buildup.

How often should I water Malus domestica during the main growing phase?

During active growth, keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week depending on heat and rainfall. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, then let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry slightly before watering again. Inconsistent watering can lead to fruit problems, so avoid long dry spells followed by heavy soakings.

How do I tell when Calville Blanc d’Hiver apples are ready to harvest?

Harvest readiness for this apple is typically around late fall; check the fruit color and flavor rather than only the calendar. Pick apples when they have developed full background color (often yellowing with good cover color), the seeds inside are dark brown, and fruits detach with a gentle twist. Taste-test a few—harvest when they are crisp and aromatic but not overly soft; they will finish flavor development after storage.

Calville Blanc D'Hiver

Planting Schedule

Crop Dates

Crop Details

Culinary Notes

Frequently Asked Questions