Overview
Malus 'Elise Rathke' is a spreading branched, columnar upright, pendulous weeping, bushy trees in the genus Malus, part of the Rosaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Malus 'Elise Rathke' 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 'Elise Rathke' is a cultivar of the Malus genus, which includes small to medium-sized deciduous trees known for their prominent spring blossoms and ornamental or edible fruit in autumn. This cultivar features a spreading branched habit and deciduous foliage, making it suitable for a variety of garden settings such as city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal gardens, and wildlife gardens. It thrives in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil under full sun or partial shade and is hardy to UK zone H6. Propagation is typically by chip budding or grafting.
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 'Elise Rathke' 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 'Elise Rathke'
- 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 'Elise Rathke'?
Malus 'Elise Rathke' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Malus 'Elise Rathke' need?
Malus 'Elise Rathke' 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 'Elise Rathke' hardy in the UK?
Malus 'Elise Rathke' 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 'Elise Rathke'?
Chip budding in late summer, Grafting in mid-winter.
More in the Malus genus
- Malus 'Adams'crab apple 'Adams'
- Malus 'Cowichan'
- 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)