This publication summarizes a three-year field study investigating the effects of ten commercial rootstocks on flower bud mortality in ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apples during natural spring frost events in Virginia. Results highlight significant rootstock-specific differences in bud survival, with B.9 consistently showing the lowest mortality. The findings offer practical recommendations to help growers select cold-hardy rootstocks that reduce frost-related losses and improve crop reliability in the face of shifting climate patterns.