Season

Features

Spring

Emerging dark burgundy foliage and vibrant pink blossoms.

Summer

Foliage deepens in colour, maintaining visual interest.

Autumn

Appearance of dark red crab apples, enhancing seasonal appeal.

Winter

Persistent fruit provides winter interest and supports wildlife.

Feature

Benefit

Compact Size

Ideal for small gardens, patios, and container planting.

Extended Seasonal Interest

Offers visual appeal from spring through winter with its foliage, flowers, and fruit.

Low Maintenance

Requires minimal pruning and care once established.

Recipient of the RHS Award of Garden Merit, indicating reliable performance and outstanding qualities.

Versatile Planting Options

Suitable for various garden styles, including cottage, urban, and wildlife gardens, due to its adaptable nature.

Step

Instructions

Planting Time

Best planted in spring or autumn.

Spacing

Allow sufficient space for its mature dimensions (3m height x 1m spread)

Sunlight Position

Thrives in full sun; tolerates partial shade.

Watering

Water regularly during establishment; once established, water during prolonged dry periods.

Soil Type

Prefers moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil; suitable for a range of soil types including acid, alkaline, heavy clay, light sandy, normal, and thin chalky soils.

Fertilising

Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring to support growth and flowering.​

Mulching

Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Issue

Solution

Pests

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

Diseases

Potential issues include apple canker, apple scab, blossom wilt, brown rot, fireblight, honey fungus, and powdery mildews.

Pruning

Minimal pruning required; remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches during winter dormancy to maintain shape and health.

Wildlife

Benefits

Pollinators

Flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinating insects.

Birds

Autumn fruits serve as a food source for birds, supporting local wildlife.

Habitat

Dense branching offers shelter for birds and beneficial insects.