This is a productive and vigorous tree. It is cold hardy and a late bloomer, making it an excellent choice for areas with late frosts. Rome Beauty is a true tip-bearing apple tree, and pruning should be adjusted accordingly. Although this tree is susceptible to most major apple diseases, it is nevertheless a low-maintenance, reliable cropper for growers with an existing spray program. It is also one of the few self-fertile apple varieties.

Ripening late season, the bright red apple is medium-large with firm, green-tinged white flesh. The flavor is mild sweet-tart. While Rome Beauty is an acceptable dessert apple, it has traditionally been preferred as a culinary variety, valued because it holds its flavor and form after baking. This apple stores well for over three months.

Discovered as a chance seedling by Joel Gillette, this apple was named Rome Beauty by George Walton in 1820 and presented to the Ohio State Horticultural Society by Captain H. N. Gillette, a cousin of Joel Gillette, in 1845. Sadly, the original seedling was lost in a flood of 1856.