Malus domestica 'Red Delicious'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- MAY-lus doh-MESS-tik-a
- Description
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The Red Delicious apple is the most widely planted apple tree in North America although it has competition in recent years from other popular apples found on this site. The size of the tree depends on the variety chosen, with standard, semi-dwarf and dwarf varieties. It grows at a fast speed of more than 24'' per year. The potential pollinators should be selected according to size: dwarf, semi-dwarf, standard, and for the same bloom time. The Red Delicious bloom starts, on average, late April to early May and is called a mid-season bloomer. Pollinators would include other mid-season blooming apple trees.
This tree grows well in slightly acidic, moist, and well-drained soil. This apple tree does not tolerate a long drought period. Soil type needed is average to loamy but responds to enriched soil with better production. Most apple trees do best with a slightly acidic soil pH in the range of 5.0 to 6.8.
Fruit production will respond best to full sun and air movement around the tree and through its branches. It is not recommended to place the tree near taller trees or structures that would shade it for a few hours each day. Air movement, sunlight, and good soil and drainage all lead to a healthy, productive tree.
Its mature height and width vary from 10 feet (dwarf), 12-15 feet (semi-dwarf), or 20-25 feet (standard).
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:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- USA
- Wildlife Value:
- Pollinators during bloom time. Bees, hummingbirds, butterflies
- Edibility:
- The medium to large-sized, oval-shaped fruit has red skin, with juicy and crisp flesh inside. It tastes sweet and mild. It is great for fresh eating and making desserts. It can also be stored for quite long in 40F degrees or below. It lasts a couple of months in the 50s.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Pome
- Fruit Description:
- Apple is mid season, ripening from mid September into October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The white flowers bloom in clusters in mid-season. It may have a slight blush in the beginning.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
