Overview
Malus 'Gorgeous' is a bushy, columnar upright, spreading branched deciduous tree in the genus Malus, part of the Rosaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Malus 'Gorgeous' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens and edible fruit.
About
Malus 'Gorgeous' is a cultivar of the Malus genus, which comprises small deciduous trees or shrubs including orchard apples and crabapples. This cultivar exhibits a bushy, columnar upright habit with spreading branches. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and is adaptable to various soil types such as chalk, clay, loam, and sand, with a preference for moist but well-drained conditions. Suitable for a range of garden aspects and exposures, Malus 'Gorgeous' is hardy to UK zone H6 and is ideal for cottage and informal gardens, wildlife areas, and for producing edible fruit.
About the genus
Malus is a genus of about 32–57 species of small deciduous trees or shrubs in the family Rosaceae, including the domesticated orchard apple, crab apples, and wild apples.
Wikipedia contributors, "Malus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Malus
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
- North-facing, East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Malus 'Gorgeous' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Deciduous tree
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright, Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Edible fruit
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Malus 'Gorgeous'
- Pruning
- Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and remove dead or crossing branches
- Propagation
- Seed sown in a seedbed in autumn, Chip budding in late summer, Grafting in mid-winter
- Pest resistance
- Aphids, Woolly aphid, Fruit tree red spider mite, Caterpillars
- Disease resistance
- Apple scab, Honey fungus, Apple canker, Fireblight, Blossom wilt, Powdery mildews
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Malus 'Gorgeous'?
Malus 'Gorgeous' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Malus 'Gorgeous' need?
Malus 'Gorgeous' 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.
How do I prune Malus 'Gorgeous'?
Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and remove dead or crossing branches.
Is Malus 'Gorgeous' hardy in the UK?
Malus 'Gorgeous' 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 'Gorgeous'?
Seed sown in a seedbed in autumn, Chip budding in late summer, Grafting in mid-winter.
More in the Malus genus
- Malus domestica 'Dog's Snout' (C/D)
- Malus domestica 'Fair Maid of Devon' (Cider)
- Malus domestica 'Lady Hollendale' (D)
- Malus domestica 'Llwyd Hanner Goch' (D)
- Malus domestica 'Sussex Mother' (C/D)
- Malus domestica 'Veitch's Perfection' (C/D)
- Malus domestica Redlove Circe ('Lureprec'PBR) (Redlove Series) (C/D)