‘An apple tree can bring the weight of myth and history to a garden,’ says Oregon-based landscape architect and garden designer Bethany Rydmark (opens in new tab).If it is your first time growing apple trees, then you will need to consider these six steps of successful growing. Plus, it was a beloved garden tree in the ancient world. ‘Apple trees are lovely additions to gardens,’ says Illinois-based landscape designer Carolyn Gange (opens in new tab), ‘offering beautiful spring flowers and the reward of fresh fruit in the fall.’įor many people, the apple tree also has the added element of being a prominent tree in folklore, which means it has a magic about it. These symmetrical arrangements can be amazing in bloom.’ Why plant apple trees? ‘You could choose cultivars tall enough to walk under when they reach full size and plant them close enough together to allow the canopies to touch when fully grown. ‘Apples also look great in allees or in grids along paths,’ says Ethan. Trees grown this way are especially easy to maintain and make beautiful sculptural additions to the garden.’Īnother option is to grow apples as free-standing features. ‘Train them along a fence or trellis by tying young branches to supports and pruning away unwanted branches. ‘I have three apples espaliered across the back of my yard at home as a fence,’ says Ohio-based garden designer Ethan McGory (opens in new tab). And where there is room to branch out, a standard size apple tree can become a focal point in a garden, or multiple trees could create an orchard effect.’Īpples are also superb when trained as espaliers against walls. ‘Apples grown on dwarf rootstock suit small spaces. ‘Columnar apple trees allow you to easily punctuate smaller spaces with their upright shape,’ says Oregon-based landscape architect and garden designer Bethany Rydmark. Once established, your apple tree will be a low-maintenance joy that adds structure, charm, and spring blossom to the garden, as well as a supply of healthy, delicious fruit. It’s also a good idea to state that you want a cultivar with good disease resistance. As well as size, decide whether you want white or pink blossom, a dessert or cooking apple, and a self-fertile or reliant variety, and ask your supplier to recommend a few choices based on those specifics. For instance, M26 and MM106 rootstocks can be used to create elegant espalier apples. An apple tree is not an island, which is a good excuse to have another cloud of snowy blossom in the garden in spring.Īpples are available on various different rootstocks, which determine their eventual size. Self-fertile varieties (such as ‘Scrumptious’) will fruit on their own, but greatly benefit from having other apples nearby. Most apples require other apple trees in the neighborhood in order to produce fruit. While Jon Munday, manager of Blackmoor Fruit Nurseries (opens in new tab), recommends ‘ Red Falstaff’ and ‘ Scrumptious’, which are both self-fertile dessert apples with pink blossom. Karim Habibi, owner of Keepers Fruit Nursery (opens in new tab), recommends ‘ Discovery’ (an early dessert cultivar with good disease-resistance and white blossom) and ‘ Egremont Russet’ (a mid-season honey-flavored dessert apple with pink blossom). Best apple trees to plantīuy a named cultivar from a reputable specialist supplier. Prune standard apple trees in winter, and prune cordons, espaliers, and fans in summer. You can find out how to prune an apple tree in our main guide, but the basics are that you should remove dead, diseased, crossing, rubbing, weak, or damaged branches with a sharp saw, cut back previous year’s growth on the main branches by one third to a bud facing in a suitable direction, and take out large shoots growing inwards towards the center of the tree. Don't, however, prune young side shoots, unless they are crossing or congested.įeed with multi-purpose fertilizer every spring. Mid-season varieties can be stored for 1-2 months, and late-season crops can keep for up to 6 months. Harvest when the fruit pulls away from the tree very easily and the wind has started to toss apples off the tree. Thin fruit, if necessary, in midsummer, to ensure the apples ripen well and to prevent branches breaking. Water young trees regularly to help them establish, and water all but very mature trees during summer drought and when the fruit begins to swell. Attach the stakeĪttach the apple tree to the stake with an adjustable tree tie. Backfill with soil and press down to prevent air pockets.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |