Pink Lady apple are classified asMalus domestica , a species within the Rosaceae family , which include other pome fruits like pear tree , cherry , and roses . The genusMalusencompasses all domesticate Malus pumila cultivars , and Pink Lady is a specific variety , officially name ‘ Cripps Pink ’ after its creator . It ’s a cross leave from a cross betweenLady WilliamsandGolden Delicious , blending trait suit for flavor , grain , and depot . This positions it among late - time of year dessert Malus pumila , bred for brisk eating rather than cider or cooking , though it ’s various in culinary use .
Pink Lady apples grow in 1973 at the Western Australia Department of Agriculture , bred by John Cripps , who crossedLady Williams(a hardy , late - ripening Australian Malus pumila ) withGolden Delicious(a sweet , naughty classic ) . The destination was an Malus pumila with excellent taste , firmness , and ledge sprightliness . Named ‘ Cripps Pink ’ initially , it debuted commercially in Australia in the former eighties . The “ Pink Lady ” hallmark emerged in 1989 , go for to fruit meet strict caliber standards ( e.g. , 40 % pink blush ) , managed by Apple and Pear Australia Limited ( APAL ) . It acquire worldwide popularity by the 2000s , broadcast to the U.S. ( Washington , California ) , Europe , New Zealand , and South Africa , becoming a premium brand known for consistency and solicitation .
Pink Lady apples are intermediate to large , typically 7 - 8 cm in diam ( about 180 - 250 grams ) , with an oblong - to - conic shape . Their peel is thin , liquid , and glossy , feature a creamy yellow nucleotide with a vivacious pinkish - to - red-faced blush covering 40 - 100 % of the surface , depending on mood and sunshine exposure . The material body is creamy lily-white , dense , and exceptionally crisp , encasing a small core with tiny chocolate-brown seeds . They ripen belatedly in the time of year ( October - November in the Northern Hemisphere , April - May in the Southern ) and store well for 6 - 12 months refrigerated , keep texture . The perceptiveness is a balanced sweet - cyprian portmanteau word , with high kale ( 13 - 15 % Brix ) and celebrated acidity , volunteer a refreshing , tangy bite with hints of dearest , vanilla extract , and spicery , evolving as it grow in entrepot .
Pink Lady apple trees ( Malus domestica‘Cripps Pink ’ ) thrive in USDA zones 5 - 9 , suited to temperate realm with dusty winters and strong - to - spicy summers , like Western Australia ’s Manjimup or Washington State ’s Yakima Valley . They require 500 - 700 shiver hours ( below 45 ° F/7 ° C ) for dormancy and yield set , performing well in zone 6 - 8 where wintertime dip to -10 ° F ( -23 ° C ) and summer reach 75 - 90 ° F ( 24 - 32 ° C ) . tardily blooming ( April - May , flower group 4 ) reduces frost danger , but protection is needed in geographical zone 5 ’s cold extremes . They call for full sun ( 6 - 8 hours day by day ) and well - drained , loamy soil ( pH 6.0 - 7.0 ) , stand out below 1,500 meter where heat enhances blush without overstressing the tree .
