About
A small, rounded tree, about 9m tall, with mid-green leaves to 8cm long and clusters of pink-tinged white flowers to 5cm across in late spring, followed by yellow-green, sometimes red-flushed fruits 2-3cm across.
About the genus
Malus are small to medium-sized deciduous trees with showy flowers in spring and ornamental or edible fruit in autumn; some have good autumn foliage colour
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
Native toEurope, Turkey
ToxicityAlthough generally edible when cooked, seeds contain toxins so these should be removed if you are considering eating the fruit, usually grown as an ornamental shrub. see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun, will tolerate partial shade. Ideal specimen trees for small gardens
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in a seedbed in autumn or by chip budding in late summer. Grafting can be carried out in midwinter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, woolly aphid, fruit tree red spider mite and caterpillars
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to apple scab, honey fungus, apple canker, fireblight, blossom wilt and Powdery mildews