Overview
Malus 'Cowichan' is a spreading branched, columnar upright, pendulous weeping, bushy trees in the genus Malus, part of the Rosaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Malus 'Cowichan' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, wildlife gardens and flower borders and beds.
About
Malus 'Cowichan' is a cultivar of the Malus genus, which consists of small to medium-sized deciduous trees known for their prominent spring blossoms and ornamental or edible fruit in autumn. This cultivar shares the genus's deciduous foliage and thrives in full sun or partial shade, adapting well to various soil types including chalk, clay, loam, and sand, with a preference for moist but well-drained conditions. Hardy to UK zone H6, it suits a range of garden settings such as city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal gardens, patios, and wildlife gardens. Interest in this tree is particularly notable in spring and autumn.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Malus
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, North-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Malus 'Cowichan' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Spreading branched, Columnar upright, Pendulous weeping, Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Malus 'Cowichan'
- Propagation
- Chip budding in late summer, Grafting in mid-winter
- Pest resistance
- Aphids, Woolly aphid, Rosy apple aphid, Fruit tree red spider mite, Codling moth, Other caterpillars
- Disease resistance
- Apple canker, Apple scab, Blossom wilt, Brown rot, Fireblight, Honey fungus, Powdery mildews
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Malus 'Cowichan'?
Malus 'Cowichan' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Malus 'Cowichan' need?
Malus 'Cowichan' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Malus 'Cowichan' hardy in the UK?
Malus 'Cowichan' has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Malus 'Cowichan'?
Chip budding in late summer, Grafting in mid-winter.
More in the Malus genus
- Malus 'Adams'crab apple 'Adams'
- Malus Red Jewel ('Jewelcole')
- Malus domestica 'All Red Gravenstein' (D)
- Malus domestica 'Blood of the Boyne' (D)
- Malus domestica 'Calville des Femmes' (C)
- Malus domestica 'Chehalis' (D)
- Malus domestica 'Cornish Onion Red Streak' (F)
- Malus domestica 'Crimson Gravenstein' (C/D)apple 'Crimson Gravenstein'