Tree planting is one of the most life affirming and positive steps you can take for the future. What better tree to plant than an apple? Delicious fruit for years to come and pretty blossom in springtime too.
Whether you want a tree for children to climb in or a potted patio specimen, apples can provide. They are easy to grow in any size of garden, and the incredible range of varieties (cultivars), different pruning techniques and rootstocks make them the most versatile fruit out there. But how do you find the right one?
5 things to think about when choosing your apple tree
1. Garden size – in large gardens, you can choose vigorous rootstocks and grow apples as 'standard' or 'half-standard' trees, as they give the best yields. In smaller plots, consider dwarfing rootstocks and training your trees, for example as cordons or espaliers.
2. In the kitchen – do you want a dessert (eating) or culinary (cooking) apple? The majority of apple cultivars are either dessert or culinary, although some are dual-purpose. In RHS publications and the Plant Finder, apple cultivars are labelled (D) for dessert and (C) for culinary.
3. Flavour is usually the most important consideration for most gardeners. Unfortunately, imported apples sold in supermarkets are from warmer countries, and the same Gardeners often use the word variety when referring to a specific plant, but the correct botanical term is 'cultivar'. Whichever word you use, it means a distinctive plant or plants, given a specific cultivar name and usually bred to enhance certain characteristics, such as flower or fruit size, colour, flavour or fragrance, plant size, hardiness, disease resistance, etc. Additionally, it is worth knowing that, botanically, variety has another meaning - it refers to a naturally-occurring distinct plant that only has slight differences in its looks. For example, Malva alcea var. fastigiata differs from typical plants by having an upright habit.
cultivar will have a different flavour when grown in Britain. Try going to a local farm shop and buying one of each that’s grown in the UK for your own apple tasting at home. Organised autumn 'apple tasting' events are another useful way to find your favourites.
4. Disease resistance is another consideration which varies between cultivars, with modern types often having higher levels of resistance than traditional ones.
5. The transfer of pollen grains from a male anther to a female stigma, either within the same flower or between two different flowers. It’s usually followed by fertilisation and seed production. Some flowers are pollinated by insects or other small creatures, others are wind pollinated. It’s also possible to pollinate flowers by hand, if you want to breed new plants or ensure successful pollination when there are few natural pollinators.
Pollination group: Many apples need pollination from a different cultivar that flowers at the same time. If you have a large enough garden, you can plant two different cultivars (pollination partners). If space is limited, you can also buy ‘family’ trees which have two or three cultivars grafted onto one tree.
RHS guide to growing apple trees
Read our handy guide with six simple steps to successfully grow your own apples. Including a selection of pollination-compatible RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) winning cultivars.
More apple-growing advice from the RHS