Apple

By

Updated on January 12, 2017

Apple Overview

Description	Apple is the most widely adapted of all temperate-zone fruit trees. A copious producer if it's planted in full sun and well-drained soil, a mature tree will supply several families with bushels of fruit. Many cultivars have chilling requirements that must be met for fruits to develop properly. Choose a cultivar that will thrive in your climate. Also, plant two or more cultivars that bloom at the same time to ensure cross-pollination and a variety of fruits, or choose a self-pollinating cultivar if you have room for just one tree.
Genus Name	Malus
Common Name	Apple
Plant Type	Fruit, Tree
Light	Sun
Height	3 to 8 feet
Width	2 to 40 feet
Flower Color	Pink, White
Season Features	Spring Bloom
Special Features	Good for Containers
Zones	10, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Propagation	Grafting
Harvest Tips	Expect to wait 3-5 years after planting for your first full harvest. Fruits ripen 70-180 days from bloom, depending on the cultivar. Pick apples by hand to avoid bruising them. A ripe apple separates easily from the branch and has firm flesh. A soft apple is overripe but can still be used for cooking. Late-season varieties are the best for long-term storage at cool room temperatures. Some types, such as Cox, McIntosh, and Jonathan, decay if stored in the refrigerator.

Garden Plans For Apple

More varieties for Apple

'Anna' apple

Malus 'Anna' is green with red blush and fair quality. This early-season apple is suited for Florida and Southern California. Pair it with early-flowering varieties to ensure pollination. Zones 5-9

'Chenango Strawberry' apple

Malus 'Chenango Strawberry' bears medium fruit with yellow to green skin and red stripes. The fruit has a striking apple-strawberry flavor. Zones 4-9

'Esopus Spitzenberg' apple

Malus 'Esopus Spitzenberg' is an old variety with a notable spicy flavor and red-yellow fruit. It is susceptible to many diseases. Zones 3-9

'Granny Smith' apple

Malus 'Granny Smith' has glossy, bright green fruit that is medium to large in size. It has a very tart flavor and is good for both fresh eating and cooking. The tree is strong and vigorous but requires a very long growing season. Zones 6-8

'Honeycrisp' apple

Malus 'Honeycrisp' bears medium fruit with a mottled red and yellow skin. It has crisp, juicy texture and a sweet flavor highlighted with a touch of tartness. Honeycrisp is an excellent storage apple. Zones 3-9

'Jonathan' apple

Malus 'Jonathan' has medium-size fruit with skin that is pale red and pale yellow. The flesh is firm, crisp, and juicy. A prolific producer, the fruit is good for both fresh consumption and cooking. Zones 5-9

'Lady' apple

Malus 'Lady' is an heirloom cultivar with excellent storage ability. The small to medium fruit has green skin with red blush and ripens late in the season. Zones 5-8

'McIntosh' apple

Malus 'McIntosh' has medium to large fruit with sweet, tender, juicy white flesh. It is good fresh or in sauce, pieces, or cidered. The skin is yellow with a bright red blush. The tree is strong and vigorous. Zones 3-9

'Northern Spy' apple

Malus 'Northern Spy' has large yellow fruit with red stripes. Choose a tree on a dwarf rootstock for more rapid fruit set. The vigorous trees bear on alternate years. Zones 4-9

'Pink Pearl' apple

Malus 'Pink Pearl' has pink-tinged flesh and a sweet, juicy tartness. The medium apples follow an impressive springtime display of deep pink blossoms. Zones 6-10

'Red Delicious' apple

Malus 'Red Delicious' bears big, 16-ounce ruby-red fruit on sturdy branches. This common selection is one of the sweetest apples. Zones 5-9

'Reine de Reinette' apple

Malus 'Reine de Reinette' is a sweet, juicy heirloom cultivar. The yellow-green fruit is blushed with a touch of red.

'Royal Gala' apple

Malus 'Royal Gala' was introduced to North America from New Zealand. This crisp, juicy apple has red striping on its yellow-tinged skin. An early producer, it ripens in August. Zones 3-8

'Snow Apple'

Malus 'Snow Apple', also called 'Fameuse', is one of the oldest cultivated varieties. A hardy tree, it bears fruit with red skin and snow-white flesh. Zones 4-9

'Wealthy' apple

Malus 'Wealthy' is an exceptionally hardy tree with red fruit. It is a popular heirloom variety rarely grown now because superior disease-resistant cultivars are available. Zones 4-9

'Wolf River' apple

Malus 'Wolf River' is a very hardy heirloom cultivar with large red fruit. It has good disease resistance and is excellent for baking, sauces, and drying. Zones 3-7