This vigorous growing, prolific bearing almond was California’s most popular variety in the 1920s and heavily planted in every almond district of that time. Gillet introduced them to California in the mid 1880s. Inclined to somewhat alternate bearing, but it averages heavy crops. It is one of the latest almonds to bloom, thus escaping some spring frosts and rain that limit almond production everywhere. The medium size plump kernel has a distinct slight bitter tinge that many eaters enjoy. We love it! These trees are growing at the upper limit of almond production at 2500'. Nuts ripen in September.

The grandmother trees are growing on an old homestead on American Hill in Nevada City, a stones throw from the Gillet nursery. Nevada City was a bustling place in the late 1800s, the Queen of the Northern Mines, with much agriculture to feed the miners. We have found many Felix trees in this community, likely due to nearly 100 years of continuous nursery operation. Felix grew many of the trees and vines still thriving in and around Nevada City.