Malus domestica 'Empire'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- MAY-lus doh-MESS-tik-a
- Description
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The Empire apple tree is a semi-dwarf cultivar, a cross between McIntosh and Red Delicious apple varieties. It is more McIntosh-like than Red Delicious. It grows up to 15 feet and has the same spread, therefore, it can be a good selection for smaller spaces than the standard apple tree which grows up to 18 to 25 feet.
Dwarf rootstock trees need another variety of apple tree to help with pollination. Good companion pollination trees for the Empire include Golden or Red Delicious or Gala varieties or a crabapple with a similar bloom period.
Semi-dwarf or dwarf trees need slightly more enriched, loamy soil that holds moisture but drains well and is slightly acidic, with a pH in the 6.0 to 6.5 range.
It is susceptible to Scab and Powdery Mildew, as are most apple trees, along with a number of other diseases and insects such as aphids. Planting the tree in full sun and not over-fertilizing in late summer can help protect from some fungal conditions. Check with your county Cooperative Extension office for local treatment advice if needed.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common apple and crab apple diseases and other plant problems.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Malus
- Species:
- domestica
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia, Europe, North America
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
- Edibility:
- The fruit has a dark red over green background. It tastes juicy, firm, crunchy and sweet. Ripens from Mid-September until January. It is great for salads and fresh eating, good for sauce, baking and pies.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 12 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Pome
- Fruit Description:
- The apple is red and medium sized. It is good for eating as is, in salads, or for cooking or baking.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Cyme
- Umbel
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- The flower starts with a pink outer petal tint and then opens to a white bloom in April. The blooms grow in clusters at the ends of stems. The flower structure (stem placement) is described differently in different references. This may be due to variations in flower presentation variations by different cultivars.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
