Malus domestica Little Pax (D)

RHS Plant Profile
apple 'Little Pax'
apple 'Little Pax' RHS
Plants for pollinators
Fruit Edible Trees

A late season dessert apple producing crops of sweet, aromatic, bright red apples with yellow markings that store well over the winter; this cultivar is noted for its abundant spring blossom but is not self-fertile so will require a pollinating partner from group 3 to set fruit

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Clay

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand Clay
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Malus are small to medium-sized deciduous trees with showy flowers in spring and ornamental or edible fruit in autumn; some have good autumn foliage colour
Name Status
Trade
Horticultural Group
Dessert apples are sweet and juicy and are best eaten fresh and raw

How to Grow

Cultivation

Prefers a deep, fertile, moist but well-drained, neutral soil in a sheltered, sunny position. Will not thrive on very acid soils, shallow chalk soils or with shade for more than half the day. May require fruit thinning to improve fruit size and quality. See apple cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by chip budding or grafting onto a clonal rootstock for fruit. The rootstock used will largely determine the vigour of the tree

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wall side borders
  • Edible fruit

Pruning

Prune according to chosen training method. See apple pruning

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, including woolly aphid and rosy apple aphid, fruit tree red spider mite, codling moth and other caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to common apple diseases including apple canker, apple scab, powdery mildews, brown rot, honey fungus and blossom wilt