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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Fragaria x ananassa Close up of flower
Phaseolus vulgaris beans
Pyrus communis Tree in Bloom
Malus domestica has some common insect problems:
Predatory Mites on Apple
Apple Powdery Mildew
White Apple Leafhopper
Tufted Apple Bud Moth
Apple Maggot
Malus domestica has some common disease problems:
Fire Blight
Cedar Apple Rust
Malus domestica has some other problems:
Growing Edibles in the Landscape

Apples Malus domestica

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
MAY-lus doh-MESS-tik-a
Description

The common apple is a deciduous tree with edible fruit in the rose family (Rosaceae). It is native to Central Asia and Afghanistan, but is now grown worldwide for its crisp, crunchy fruit that can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of dishes. Cider is another valuable product from the fruits. Many cultivars exist with differences in color, flavor and recommended food use. 

Apples are generally easy to grow and tolerate a variety of soils. Grow in full sun to partial shade. They will need a regular spraying program to prevent disease and pest damage. Although they grow up to 30 feet tall and wide from seed, many apple trees you can buy are grafted with dwarfing rootstocks, so they maintain a much smaller size. Cultivars have different chilling hour requirements, so be sure to choose the right one for your area. Most apple cultivars produce better if another, co-blossoming variety or species is planted nearby to serve as a pollen donor (pollinizer). 

Plant this tree in an edible garden or as a flowering specimen in a lawn or meadow.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: A wide range of pests and diseases can affect this tree. Three of the more common diseases or pests are mildew, aphids, and apple scab. Other diseases are fire blight and black spot. Other pests are codling moths and apple maggots. 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 "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Vegetable Garden at Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Empire', 'Fuji', 'Gala', 'Ginger Gold', 'Golden Delicious', 'Jonagold', 'Mutsu', 'Red Delicious', 'Rome', 'Stayman'
Tags:
#cultivars#edible plant#white flowers#high maintenance#flowering tree#fruit tree#edible fruits#fruits fall#edible garden#pomes#ebh-fn#disease problems#vhfn#vhfn-f#early childhood#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems#child#children#preschool#early care#easy edibles
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Empire', 'Fuji', 'Gala', 'Ginger Gold', 'Golden Delicious', 'Jonagold', 'Mutsu', 'Red Delicious', 'Rome', 'Stayman'
Tags:
#cultivars#edible plant#white flowers#high maintenance#flowering tree#fruit tree#edible fruits#fruits fall#edible garden#pomes#ebh-fn#disease problems#vhfn#vhfn-f#early childhood#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems#child#children#preschool#early care#easy edibles
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Malus
    Species:
    Domestica
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Grafting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central Asia to Afghanistan
    Distribution:
    Worldwide
    Edibility:
    Fruits can be eaten raw and cooked in a variety of dishes.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Perennial
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Pome
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Large, round, firm fruits that often have a waxy coating. Some varieties ripen late summer and some in the fall.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    The 1 to 1 1⁄2 in. flowers are white with a pink tinge that gradually fades, five-petaled, with an inflorescence consisting of a cyme with 4–6 flowers. The central flower is called the "king bloom", opens first and can develop a larger fruit.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Entire
    Serrate
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Very variable leaf shape and size. Underside has raised veins and may or may not be pubescent.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Lenticels
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    Looks similar to prunus species, grey and smooth with raised lenticels.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Small dwarf shoots line the stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Flowering Tree
    Problems:
    Frequent Disease Problems
    Frequent Insect Problems