Plant of the Month: May
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Malus 'Evereste'
Common name: This plant is a crab apple cultivar
Family: Rosaceae
Vital statistics
Height and spread: 7m (22ft) x 6m (20ft)
Form: Conical deciduous tree
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil.
Aspect: Full sun or partial shade
Hardiness: Fully hardy. |
Malus 'Evereste' @ Hyde Hall
This fine large specimen of Malus 'Evereste' is situated in the Hilltop Garden in the bed just opposite the Shrub Rose Border. Unlike many other Malus, which tend to get very twiggy as they mature, Malus 'Evereste' retains a good shape and rounded habit. This plant gives a long season of interest, its pink flowers being followed by extremely attractive red and orange striped fruit in the autumn.
Malus
A genus of about 35 species of deciduous trees and shrubs found in woodlands and thickets throughout northern temperate regions.
They are easily grown small to medium sized trees flowering from April to May.
They produce fragrant flowers 2-5cm (1-2in) across usually shallowly cup-shaped, singly or in umbel-like corymbs. The flowers are followed by edible fruits, although some need cooking to be palatable.
The leaves are alternate, oval to ovate or elliptic mostly toothed.
The name Malus is from the Greek melon, and is applied to tree fruits with a fleshy exterior.
Crab apples are ideal specimen trees for small gardens.
The fruit flavour improves considerably if the fruit is not harvested until it has been frosted. The fruit is quite variable in size (it is about 2 - 4cm in diameter) and quality. Whilst usually harsh and acid, some cultivars are quite sweet and can be eaten raw.
The fruit is rich in pectin and can be used in helping other fruits to set when making jam etc. Pectin is also said to protect the body against radiation.
It is the parent of the cultivated apple and is often used as a rootstock.
Malus 'Evereste'
Crab apples are ideal specimen trees for small gardens.
The fruit flavour improves considerably if the fruit is not harvested until it has been frosted. The fruit is quite variable in size (it is about 2 - 4cm in diameter) and quality. Whilst usually harsh and acid, some cultivars are quite sweet and can be eaten raw.
The fruit is rich in pectin and can be used in helping other fruits to set when making jam etc. Pectin is also said to protect the body against radiation.
It is the parent of the cultivated apple and is often used as a rootstock.
Malus 'Evereste' is a conical tree with dark green, often lobed leaves, 8-11cm (3-4in) long. The flowers are freely borne, 5cm (2in) across, red in bud but open white. It is one of the best trees for spring blossom. The flowers are followed by red-orange-yellow fruit 2.5cm (1in) across.
It grows to a height of 7m (22ft), and spread of 6m (20ft).
AGM
The RHS Floral B Committee awarded Malus 'Evereste' an Award of Garden Merit and described it as: Small deciduous tree, broadly conical in outline, with more or less lobed leaves. Flowers 5cm wide, white, opening from red buds; fruit to 2.5cm long, yellowish-orange.
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun, although some shade is tolerated.
Purple leaved forms of Malus colour best in full sun.
Susceptible to honey fungus, apple scab and canker, aphids, caterpillars and mildew.
Propagation
Sow seed in a seedbed in autumn as soon as it is ripe, and it should germinate in late winter. Bud in late winter. Graft in midwinter.