The Gala is the result of a cross between Kidd's Orange Red and Golden Delicious, developed in New Zealand in the 1920s and introduced to North American gardens in the early 1970s. Its coloring is variable — creamy yellow to red-and-yellow-striped depending on the strain — with fruit that leans mild and sweet, useful for fresh eating, salads, and cooking alike. The Royal Gala strain carries an extra layer of history: Queen Elizabeth II reportedly named it her favorite during a visit to New Zealand, and the cultivar was renamed in her honor.

Galas begin harvest as early as mid-July, making them among the earlier-ripening apple varieties, and they're typically available through late summer into fall. At semi-dwarf, the tree reaches 12 to 15 feet; a dwarf form tops out around 8 to 10 feet. Cross-pollination is essential — Fuji or Red or Yellow Delicious are well-matched in bloom time, and a long-flowering crabapple is a reliable backup. Soil should be loamy, well-drained, and slightly acidic, with full sun and good airflow through the canopy the key factors in fruit quality.