I'm choosing trees for a "mini orchard" at my home in extreme Southwest Michigan (zone 5b). I'm four miles from Lake Michigan, with fairly heavy soil (somewhat unusual around here). I need to ultimately choose FIVE trees -- preferably dwarves, though I could do a semi dwarf.
I'm curious if others feel the apples on this list would be appropriate for a dedicated beginner, interested in complex flavors that are difficult to find at markets and traditional orchards. I don't mind cosmetic blemishes, but I would mind investing years in a tree only to loose it to blight.
I'd also like to make sure I select varieties that will keep me in apples for a nice long season (with some to store). There are only two of us here, so quality is more important than quantity.
Here are the candidates. Am I on the right track? Are there any I should dump in favor of easier-to-grow varieties?
Pristine
Ashmead's Kernel
Goldrush
Tydeman's Late Orange
Rubinette (which I believe you mentioned was somewhat difficult to grow but was within my reach? yes?)
Goldrush is an outstanding apple. It ripens late, has easy care, a rich tart/sweet/full flavor and a great keeper. I have heard great things about the others, and I have even grafted them onto my trees except for Pristine. However, I haven't yet had them ripen, so I know less about them. They are among the most celebrated gourmet apples anywhere for complex flavor.
John S
PDX, OR
Better look into what sorts of rootstocks are anti-blight if that is the danger in your area. That is, if you are doing your own grafting. Check with other apple growers to see if they know what stocks they are on. Good nurseries in your area might also be knowledgeable. Small sprouts coming from the rootstock could contract blight and kill the tree.
If you know somebody in the area with successful apples but do not know what stock they are on, you can dig up pencil size pieces of their roots and graft twigs directly to them. It works.
If you guys like applesauce, Yellow Transparent makes good sauce, is very early, and a good pollinator to boot. Being from Russia, it is hardy.
I think you have to try Rubinette, it is not the easiest to grow but for flavor it sets a benchmark which you can test other varieties against. I think it is essential for any apple collection.
Glad to see Ashmead’s Kernel on your list, though I don’t have it, I’d like to! The russet apples appear a bit more substantial …if less prone to ‘blemishes’ …because they appear covered by one 
I didn’t know Yellow Transparent’s were from Russia..? We’re lucky to have them! I’ve grafted them within my Gravenstein for pollination and get all I want/need, an entire tree would likely bury me!
…and speaking of Gravenstein’s -- though a bit tricky to pollinate, they’re early, and if squeezed real hard – admittedly my favorite apple <!-- s
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I didn’t know Yellow Transparent’s were from Russia..?
Yes, but it likely had a cerullic name with backwards N's and R's! Came over to the USA around 1870. LINK
medora66 may want to ignore that option too, as I see it is subject to fireblight.
Dolgo crab and Grimes Golden have less problems with blight.
This is for medora66 - I have found Liberty to be an excellent mid-season apple tree. Liberty is resistant to apple scab, cedar apple rust, fire blight, and mildew and was introduced from Geneva, NY. The Liberty apple tree is a hybrid involving Macoun released in about 1978. Fruit produced is medium to large red over green apple, is very crisp, tender and juicy with a very white flesh. Very flavorful tart/sweet that is excellent for eating and cooking. Besides being delicious, it is a beautiful apple.
If I had to do ti again I would only plant disease resistant apples.
Dayton, Enterprise, Freedom, Gold Rush, Jonafree, Liberty, Nova Easygro, Novamac, Prima, Priscilla, Pristine, Redfree, Sir Prize, Trent, William's Pride.
Keepit Low,
Why do you think you cannot do it over again? I grafted up a couple of apples for a 96 year old man this spring. He sure is optimistic! I think his mom lived till 110 or so, and his dad much the same.
Do you know what rootstocks your apples are on? Could be you just need something more vigorous. I did on my crappy soil.