There are about 50 species and more than 190 cultivated varieties of ornamental apple trees.
Decorative apple trees are unpretentious to the conditions of their growth. Planting an ornamental apple tree with red leaves is considered a special chic. This plant allows you to form bright accents and decorate even shady corners of the garden.
In culture it low tree, which rarely reaches 10 meters at the top of its crown. Ornamental apple trees can also be shrub forms of culture. The crown, in the absence of pruning, is formed in the form of an irregular oval or ball.
Some varieties can successfully bear fruit, but the fruits do not have pleasant organoleptic properties.
The color of the bark of the stem part can range from pastel gray to deep brown. special attention when choosing a variety of an ornamental apple tree, the shape and color of the deciduous plate deserves. Some species are presented with red coloration and a long period of non-falling leaves in the autumn. This allows you to create magnificent landscapes even with a meager composition. soil mixture and adverse weather conditions.
In the bulk, varieties of ornamental apple trees have a dense deciduous mass of saturated green color, which turns into a yellow and red riot of colors only in late August - early September. Average length elliptical or plum-shaped sheet is 100 mm.
During the flowering period, the entire crown is densely covered with fragrant flowers, which can reach a diameter of 40 mm. The main color is white, which can have various shades of pink, peach, Ivory and others. Single flowers are collected in bouquets of inflorescences with the help of legs.
Fruit formation begins immediately after flowering. In the center of each flower is a receptacle, which gradually grows and fills with pulp. The outer color of the fruit is green at first, then, as it ripens, changes to yellow and red.
These trees have fantastic resistance to adverse environmental factors. This is a frost-resistant culture that successfully grows even in the conditions of the northern regions of our country.
It is best to plant such apple trees in the spring, before the release of the first buds, or in the fall, in September and the first half of October. Young seedlings up to 4 years old can be planted both in spring and autumn, but older ones that do not adapt well in a new place can only be planted in autumn.
Particular attention should be paid to the distance to neighboring plants. For ornamental apple trees, it is necessary to provide a lot of free space; they should not grow in close proximity to large plants. For each plant, you need to leave as much space as its crown will spread in its adult state: the diameter of a tree of a particular variety should be the main guideline. Classic variant- an area of about 5-6 m (correspondingly, a distance of 2-3 m to neighboring crops).
For decorative apple trees, you need to dig large planting holes in advance, preferably in the fall of the previous year or at least 1 month before planting. The diameter of the landing pit is about 80 cm and the depth is about 1 m - perfect option. The soil taken out of the pits must be replaced with a special substrate. A two-fold portion of sand and a three-fold portion of humus are mixed with leafy soil. If possible, 250-300 g of complete mineral fertilizer. Without pre-planting improvement, apple trees will take a long time to take root and it will take a long time to achieve the desired size. Planting depth is similar to all apple trees: the root neck should be 5-10 cm above the ground level.
Apple trees need fertile, well-drained soil. The planting site should be located in the sun, heavily shaded areas are not suitable for these trees. Watering requires moderate, stagnant water should not be allowed. Decorative apple trees are recommended to be mulched. For this, peat, sawdust, bark of coniferous trees, walnut shells are suitable.
In the spring, it is necessary to carry out the prevention of diseases and spray the trees with insecticides.
If you do not plan to eat the fruits of ornamental apple trees, you can destroy pests during flowering and fruiting. However, this is still not recommended if there may be children on the site, who are often attracted to appetizing small apples. The fruits also serve as food for birds, which can be harmed by toxins. Therefore, in order to avoid poisoning with toxic substances, pest control of ornamental apple trees with chemicals is carried out before the start of the growing season.
Ornamental apple trees, like fruit trees, are most susceptible to scab, powdery mildew, a bacteria that causes a disease known as blight. If a burn occurs, the tree must be destroyed, as this dangerous disease quickly and actively spreads throughout the garden.
Ornamental types of apple trees can be propagated by seeds. They are sown immediately after harvest in early autumn or after stratification for 1.5-2 months at the end of autumn.
Only rare species and varietal apple trees with improved characteristics that are not transmitted by the seed method are propagated exclusively by grafting.
Cuttings are not the most productive, but valid method. In most apple trees, the survival rate does not exceed 5-15%, even when treated with growth stimulants.
Luxurious Japanese apple tree - profusely flowering apple tree (Malus floribunda). Suitable for small cottages, because. it is up to 4 m high. It is often a shrub with open, sometimes prickly branches and ovate dark green leaves, 4-8 cm long. The flowers are very abundant, carmine-red in buds, pale pink after blooming, 2.5- 3.0 cm, in bunches of 4-7 on purple stalks; bloom in May. Fruits - spherical, small, 1-2 cm in diameter, reddish-yellow; ripen in September. One of the most decorative apple trees.
Snow-white beauty - Pallas apple tree, or Siberian (Malus pallasiana) - a tree up to 3-5 m high or a shrub with a rounded crown. The leaves are ovate, 2.5-8 cm long. The flowers are white on long pedicels, 2-3.5 cm in diameter, 4-8 in umbellate inflorescences; bloom in May-June. Fruits - spherical, yellow with a red tint, up to 1 cm in diameter; ripen in September. Homeland: Eastern Siberia, Far East, Northern China, Mongolia.
A modest Japanese beauty - Sargent's apple tree (Malus sargentii) - a shrub from 1 to 3 m high with horizontally spread branches, often with thorns. The leaves are ovate, often three-lobed, 5-8 cm long, dark green, orange and yellow in autumn. The flowers are white, on bare pedicels, 5-6 in bunches; bloom in May. The fruits are almost spherical, about 1 cm in diameter, dark red with a waxy coating; ripen in September. Decorative during flowering and fruiting.
It is a tree or shrub up to 10 m high with pubescent young shoots. The leaves are ovate, 5-10 cm long, dark green, slightly shiny, yellow or bronze in autumn. The flowers are large, 3 cm in diameter, white, 5-10 in umbellate inflorescences; bloom in May. Fruits are spherical, up to 2-3 cm in diameter on long stalks, yellow or red, sour, edible apples (paradise); ripen in September and do not fall for a long time. Decorative during flowering and fruiting. Resistant to fungal diseases. Origin: Northeast China.
Tsumi apple tree ( Malus X zumi) - possibly a hybrid of the Manchurian variety of apple berry and Siebold. A small tree with a dense, spherical crown up to 6 (12) m high. The leaves are oblong-ovate on long shoots, noticeably lobed, 4-9 cm long. The flowers are numerous, 2.5-3 cm in diameter, pink in buds, open - white ; bloom in May-June. The fruits are spherical, red, about 1 cm in diameter; ripen in September. Decorative during flowering and fruiting.
Scheidecker's apple tree (Malus Scheideckeri) is a low tree up to 3.5 m high, with a dark brown trunk and fissured bark. The branches are light brown with an orange tint and light lenticels. The leaves are oval, sharp-toothed, dark green. The flowers are pale pink, semi-double, up to 3.5 cm in diameter, dark pink in buds. Fruits are round or oblong-ovoid, bright yellow. Its decorative form "Red Jade" (red fruits) is interesting.
It is introduced into breeding almost unchanged, wild form. In nature, it is found almost everywhere on the North American continent. It grows with proper care up to 12 meters in height and has long flexible branches, which, in the process of growth of deciduous mass and ripening of fruits, tend to the ground. That is why this decorative apple tree was called "Weeping". It will grow well in all regions of our country, because it is not afraid of even severe frosts due to the dense layer of bark.
A low decorative apple tree of the Ola variety was bred in Poland. It prefers moist to moderately moist soils. Blooms profusely in full sun, tolerates partial shade. Due to the fact that the plant does not grow above 5 meters, it is used for decorative landscaping of gardens and residential areas. The unusually graceful, openwork crown of the tree is covered with a hat of large pink flowers in spring and exudes a wonderful aroma.
Tree or shrub with an even, spherical crown up to 2 m in diameter and branches burgundy. The leaves are red when blooming, gradually becoming dark green with a burgundy hue. It blooms in July with large bright red flowers. The fruits are bright red, edible. Light-loving. Prefers moist and fertile soils. Disease resistant. Highly resistant.
Decorative apple trees have many advantages over other varieties:
Decorative varieties are undemanding to the soil on which they grow. Abundant flowering and fruiting is given by trees growing on fertile and fresh soil. However, even when grown on depleted land, trees can be attractive, but with slower growth. Ornamental apple trees love good lighting. Even a slight shadow can affect the number of flowers and their brightness, as well as the abundance of fruits.
Even novice gardeners are able to grow an ornamental tree, as well as, since such plants do not require special conditions growth and care knowledge. Most popular varieties ornamental apple trees are distinguished by a variety of shades, flowers and fruits. Apple trees are more like an ornamental plant than a familiar fruit tree. Therefore, most gardeners grow them for the sake of appearance, and not for the purpose of obtaining a crop. In addition to a bright visual effect, during flowering, such trees fill the nearby area with a sweet fragrance. Thanks to this, the plant is well pollinated and brings a good harvest of small fruits.
The variety is represented by a small decorative tree with a weeping crown shape and red leaves. Plant height 1.5-2.5 meters. The apple tree grows well on ordinary garden soils, loves abundant watering, but is able to tolerate short-term drought. The tree grows equally both alone and in a group planting. The peak of flowering comes in May. At this time, the plant is completely covered pink flowers and then small red fruits.
Small apples ripen in September. The fruits make delicious and beautiful jam or jelly.
Weeping apple is resistant to brown spot, but requires additional protection against apple scab and powdery mildew - it affects buds, leaves and stems.
The variety is one of the hybrids of the Nedzwiecki purple apple tree. Due to its unpretentiousness to growing conditions, the apple tree can be grown in the southern regions and middle lane Russia. The tree can grow up to 4-6 m. The diameter of the spherical crown reaches 4-5 m. Flowering begins in May-June and lasts about 2 weeks. The flowers have a rich dark pink hue. The variety has high rates of pollen fecundity, which is why it is often used as a pollinator for industrial gardens. After flowering, small bright red fruits gradually appear. Due to the taste characteristics, apples can only be used in processed form - jam, jam, dessert. The species is frost-resistant, drought-resistant, has an average resistance to scab.
The fruits can be used in folk medicine in the treatment of anemia, for general strengthening of the body, as a bactericidal or laxative.
An adult tree does not grow above 4 m. The lush spreading crown also does not exceed 4 m in diameter. The tree grows quite slowly and reaches a maximum by 10 years. In spring, abundant flowering begins, which after a while is replaced by clusters of bright red fruits that do not fall until late autumn. In winter, the reddish bark of the branches also gives the plant decorative look. Thus, the tree pleases with the appearance of almost all year round. Due to its small size, the variety can be used as a hedge. Helena is highly resistant to low temperatures and diseases. However, one should not forget about preventive measures Oh.
The variety is pure ornamental plant, since its fruits are not eaten even in processed form.
The height of an adult tree can reach 6 m. The columnar crown can grow up to a diameter of 3 m. During flowering, the plant is first covered with pink flowers, which turn white after a while. Red large fruits gradually ripen on the tree, which can persist throughout the winter until spring. Apples can be harvested and used to make jam, jam or cider.
The plant is widely used for decorative purposes in landscaping urban landscapes and home gardens.
The apple tree may bloom again in the autumn, but not as abundantly as in the spring.
The tree quickly grows up to 4 meters in height. Flowering occurs in May, when the plant is covered large quantity dark pink flowers. By autumn, the tree is overgrown with purple small fruits that can stay on it for a long time. The plant prefers a sunny, wind-protected position. The apple tree has poor resistance to diseases and pests, but it can be strengthened with preventive treatments. The winter hardiness of the variety is high, due to which it is widely cultivated on the territory of the Moscow region. The plant is used as a hedge, can be planted separately or in group planting.
The plant is a hybrid variety created on the basis of Nedzwiecki's apple tree. The tree grows to small sizes - 2.5-3 m. The crown diameter is 1-4 m. When growing, it has a weeping shape, and in adult trees it is umbrella-shaped. Lush flowering begins in early May and lasts 2 weeks. In hot, dry weather, this period can be reduced to 6-7 days. The flowers have a rich dark pink hue.
Over time, small dark red fruits appear on the tree, which can decorate it for a long time. Apples ripen in the first decade of September, but they have a bitter taste, which is why they are inedible. The variety is characterized by high frost resistance (down to -34°C) and tolerance to polluted air. Thanks to this, trees can be grown in the central and northwestern regions of Russia. The only drawback is the average resistance to scab.
The robin is characterized by medium size and dense rounded crown. On average, it grows up to 4-6 meters. During the flowering period, the branches are covered with dense pink-red flowers. It looks like sakura. By autumn, the plant is covered with small, bright burgundy fruits. Despite their small size, apples are edible and are used in making compotes. Harvested fruits tolerate long-term storage in wooden containers. The variety is quite winter-hardy and can be grown in central Russia. The plant is susceptible to diseases, therefore, it requires preventive treatment measures. Find out about the apple variety Malinovka.
An ornamental variety that is one of the hybrid forms of the purple apple tree. Royalty is characterized by slow growth, by the tenth year of life it can grow up to 3-4 m. The crown has an oval shape with a diameter of 4-5 m. In young trees, it is compact, but gradually becomes wide and spreading. The flowering period occurs in early May and lasts 2 weeks. At this time, the tree is abundantly covered with flowers of a ruby \u200b\u200band raspberry-red hue. By the beginning of autumn, small dark red fruits appear on the apple tree. Royalty will tell about the characteristics of the apple tree variety.
The grade differs in frost resistance, resistance to winds and a drought. Trees are not very resistant to scab, so they need regular preventive treatments.
Apples have a bitter taste and are considered inedible. If consumed directly, it can lead to acute food poisoning.
The tree rarely grows over 5 m tall. It has a lush spreading crown. During flowering (May), the branches are covered with pink-red flowers. The tree resembles cherry blossoms. By autumn, the flowers are replaced by small decorative red-colored fruits that may remain on the tree until the onset of winter. The plant is perfect for decorating the site, landscape gardening or as a hedge. Read how to form the crown of an apple tree.
An apple tree can grow as a bush or a tree, depending on the initial formation of the crown. An adult tree reaches 5-6 m in height and can live up to 60 years. During spring flowering, the branches are almost completely covered with large pink flowers. The flowering period depends on the place where the tree grows. It fluctuates from the beginning to the middle of May. In autumn, small fruits of a purple-red hue ripen. The pulp of apples has an unusual pink color. They can stay on the tree throughout the winter.
Read about apple tree diseases at.
Variety "Nedzvetskogo" is resistant to frost, pests and most diseases.
| Variety | Height (m) | foliage color | flower coloring | fruit coloration |
| Godlen Hornet | 3-5 | green | white | yellow |
| John Downey | 4-6 | green | white-pink | bright red |
| Lesnaya | 10 | green | pale pink | yellow-green |
| Lisette | 5-7 | green-brown | blue-red | garnet red |
| Makamik | 4-6 | dark red-green | dark purple | red |
| Niedzwiecki | 10 | Dark red | dark red | dark red |
| Profusion | 5-7 | red-brown | carmine red | red-brown |
| Royalty | 3-4 | purplish red | carmine purple | dark red |
| 5-6 | bronze green | rose red | orange | |
| Tina | 1,5-2 | green | pink and white | red |
| hillery | 5-7 | green | pink | yellow-orange |
| Everest | 4-6 | green | white-pink | orange red |
Growing ornamental varieties of apples has some differences compared to ordinary apple trees.
He will tell you about pruning an apple tree in the spring.
Video about decorative apple trees.
Almost all gardeners on their suburban areas grow apple trees. Delicious fruits and a rich harvest become a worthy reward for work. But among the fragrant beauties there are species whose purpose is not to harvest, but to decorate the landscape. Decorative apple trees are very bright and beautiful plant, with graceful decorative leaves and delicate flowers. Fruits are also tied on them, but as a rule they are not suitable for food. But the beautiful appearance fully compensates for the lack of harvest.
The flowering of an ornamental apple tree is an incredible sight: it is so plentiful that the branches are literally showered with bright flowers, while the leaves are almost invisible. The shade of inflorescences can be white, pink, dark red. Even a very young tree can decorate the garden with its spectacular flowering. AT landscape design this species easily replaces the famous sakura in Japanese gardens. The garden plantation retains its decorative effect until frost. After flowering, the yard is decorated with beautiful leaves, and then small fruits. The size of the fruits is not more than 4 cm, they hang on the tree for a very long time, attracting birds to the garden. Birds, as you know, are the first fighters against insect pests.
Japanese style as popular in recent times, it is difficult to imagine without the symbol of this country - sakura. But a sophisticated plant does not grow in a harsh climate, designers replace it with an equally luxurious decorative apple tree. Them lush bloom and pleasant aroma are very similar. Apple tree bushes, immersed in white foam or scarlet flowering fire, harmoniously combine with Sakhalin cherries, Ussuri plums and Manzhursky apricots. They are given entire glades, where garden plantings fulfill their important mission - they decorate the garden.
The stunning flowering of an ornamental apple tree creates a special microclimate of landscape design, embodying luxury and chic. Due to its unpretentiousness, garden planting is often used as bright accent among the evergreen needles. One plant or a small group can certainly attract attention and become a bright spot that can dilute the calm coniferous greens.
wide color characteristic used in many compositions. stamp form decorative apple tree beautifully decorates the entrance to the yard or the path leading to the house.
Stunningly beautiful during flowering and perfectly preserving its decorative effect throughout the warm season, the apple tree occupies a special place among trees and shrubs. Easy to mold and model, gardeners create all sorts of shapes.
In a natural style, a garden planting fits well into the overall "pristine" look with its naturalness. It is not always noticeable that the existing shape of the crown is the work of man. In winter, the plant also decorates the garden. Small fruits hang in clusters and do not fall off even when high temperature. Covered with hoarfrost, they create a real village flavor and attract flocks of chirping birds.
Proper layout plays an important role fruit trees. All agrotechnical requirements must be observed in order to achieve a decorative effect. An ornamental apple tree is planted in sunny clearings, hills and near water. Last option often used in the design of the Japanese garden. Incredibly beautiful flowering reflected in the water creates a picturesque landscape, like paintings by Flemish painters.
A decorative representative is also planted, surrounded by shrubs, against the backdrop of a well-groomed lawn. These can be tree peonies, park rose bushes and chokeberry. Their diverse flowering and fruiting visually set off and highlight each other. Having such a composition in your garden is a tempting prospect. Having picked up unpretentious representatives, you can enjoy incredible beauty with a minimum of effort.
Clearings with a decorative apple tree planted in a small group look beautiful. Free space is filled with strawberries, raspberries or other berry bushes. Iris, peony, fragrant tobacco and daisies are also used as background plants. A mixborder is planted along the paths from ornamental varieties of apple trees, strawberries, saplings, tenacity. Low-growing plants adorn the group planting in the first level.
As a hedge, garden planting is used along with Japanese quince, blackberries, hops and girlish grapes. AT Japanese garden the combination of ornamental apple, lemongrass, blackthorn, chaenomelis and other plants has already become a classic. It can be supplemented with several varieties of spirea, weigela or Japanese kerria.
The original combination of a bizarre crown and interesting coloring of the leaves combines a decorative apple tree, catalpas with yellow and red pods, fieldfare, barberry and lilac. By planting a composition according to growth, flowering time and shade of inflorescences, you can create a flower bed that will change and refresh the landscape for several seasons.
In company with fruit bushes (raspberries, currants, irga), the decorative apple tree looks wonderful. This group of plants is also suitable for a low hedge or border. beautiful bloom giving way to the appearance of fruits makes any garden rich and symbolic.
The following varieties are famous for their special decorative properties:
Long flexible branches adorn the twelve-meter trunk. The variety remained almost unchanged. Unpretentious, frost-resistant plant.
Bred in a hybrid way. Reaches 5-6 meters in height and the width of the crown reaches the same amount. Petals have rich purple hue which gives the bloom an unforgettable look.
Hybrid variety resistant to adverse environmental conditions. The height of the bush can be 3-4 meters, the width of the crown ranges from 2 to 3 meters. During the growing season, the leaves adorn the garden with their purple hue, closer to the formation of fruits, they change their color to green.
A distinctive feature is slow growth. The culture is unpretentious, frost-resistant, an adult plant reaches 5 meters in height and 3 meters in crown diameter. Waiting for unusual purple leaves of an adult garden planting takes up to 9 years.
Blooming buds have a rich crimson hue and a berry-like aroma. The bush is low - 3-3.5 meters, the crown is sprawling spherical.
The difference of this variety is edible fruits, from which compote and jam can be prepared. The tree is wild, tolerates even harsh climatic conditions. mature plant reaches 11 meters. Appearance classic - white flowers framed with green leaves.
Frequent guest in landscape design. It has a weeping shape with drooping branches, grows rapidly. Leaves are purplish when blooming in spring, changing to emerald green in autumn.
When planting, the pit should be larger than the root system, the roots are carefully straightened and covered with a loose, fertile mixture. Active growth of the root system is a guarantee good growth and development of the tree itself. After planting, provide abundant watering and mulching. Sawdust, compost, peat can be used. This will help moisture evaporate less, stop the emergence of weeds and affect the best survival of the seedling. In no case should the root collar be buried.
Caring for a decorative apple tree differs little from the maintenance of a regular one. The decorative variety is less whimsical, with improper planting or minor errors, this will not affect the condition of the tree itself. Still, gardeners recommend adhering to certain rules. An important role is played by the correct landing site. It is better to plant ornamental varieties of apple trees in places where there is enough light and there is no stagnation of moisture in the soil. The root system must be provided with good drainage, constantly weeping roots can rot. Seedlings with an open root system need a sufficient amount of moisture; overdrying will destroy them.
Actually, spring is that cherished time for which decorative apple trees primarily exist, since their flowering is a truly magical sight. For example, I.V. Michurin writes about the hybrids obtained from Nedzvetsky’s pink-flowered apple tree, which he used in breeding: “All the trees ... give a spectacular, rare beauty look of some tropical plants ... They took them for magnolias, they thought they saw a particularly tall type of azaleas.”
And since we are talking about pink varieties, then the choice is quite large. You can note such a variety, such as, for example, Rudolph.
It was received in Canada in 1954. This is a very abundant flowering tree up to 5-6 m high. It blooms with large pink-red flowers, so densely covering the tree that the foliage fades into the background. By autumn, it is covered with bright orange fruits.
Variety Profusion interesting distinguishing feature: leaves unusual shape- three-blade. The flowers are purplish-pink, simple. It also has a profuse annual bloom.
But the variety Brandy Magic.
He is awesome! Its double flowers for apple trees, one might say, are simply huge (up to 5 cm in diameter), and their tone is also completely unusual - warm. And even if the flowering is not so plentiful, but the flowers with large stamens, similar to miniature roses, distinguish it from all others.
It should be noted that varieties with white flowers are also popular, especially if they are dwarf, not taking up much space in the garden, such as grade Tina (Tina). It grows slowly, in the adult state about 3 m in diameter. Red buds unfold in medium-sized white flowers with golden stamens. There are so many of them on the branches that this tree or shrub seems to be covered with snow.
The time is much calmer, but even now the apple trees do not remain colorless extras, while many are beautiful. flowering shrubs, and generally recognized garden favorites, they cannot boast of this. They only have one finest hour- flowering, then for some it would be better if they were completely forgotten until the next flowering. Apple trees are very favorably different from them.
Many varieties of ornamental apple trees have either a purple color or a purple tint to the leaves. This is because they are descended from Nedzwiecki's apple trees, which served as a donor of this coloration. The brightest representative of purple-leaved varieties - Royalty, which many people already hear, up to 5 m in height. Its leaves are of such a thick dark purple tone (especially in spring) that royal maroon flowers and fruits are almost lost against their background.
By autumn, often many purple-leaved forms turn somewhat green, but the color still remains quite catchy. The dark foliage is well set off by shrubs and trees with white-motley foliage in multi-color compositions. But when planting, remember that in the shade, the intensity of the purple color decreases.
The breeding direction of ornamental apple trees provides for the abundance of fruits and their long stay on the trees, and the taste qualities are practically not considered. Although there are varieties with a pleasant taste of fruits. For example, Golden Hornet) - its apples are small (2.5 cm), rich yellow with a tan on the sunny side, are kept on the branches for a long time. Abundant fruiting turns this apple tree into a golden-beaded tree that looks cheerful even when the leaves are flying around and the tree's skeleton is exposed.
Of the most decorative and at the same time edible fruits of the variety can be called John Downie- dark yellow with red barrels (with sunny side), relatively large, they can be eaten fresh, made into compotes or used for jam.
In the first half of winter, we continue to admire the fruits that are hung on branches that have lost their leaves. Often this is the only bright spot in an empty, dim, sun-forgotten garden.
In addition, varieties with an original crown shape come to the fore in winter, right now you can fully appreciate their unusualness. The most interesting are weeping and umbrella apple trees. To obtain them, a low apple tree is used, grafting onto a high trunk. These umbrellas look great both in single planting and in groups, especially if they differ from each other in height.
Breeders could not pass by such unusual crowns. So there were varieties RedJade (Red Jade), Chipe Viping (Cheat's Weeping), Royal Beauty (Royal Beauty) with weeping hanging branches, and of course, rich flowering.
But enough crying. Let's leave the sad sadness and turn to vigorous vertical forms.
Columnar apple trees with edible fruits immediately crossed the border separating the orchard from the ornamental. There are varieties that, though not columns in pure form, but also with narrow vertical crowns.
For example, the variety Van Eseltine(with white-pink semi-double flowers, about 5 cm in diameter) the crown in youth is first narrow-column-shaped, then funnel-shaped. Street Parade characterized by a dense narrow oval crown, and Red Obelisk in addition to the columnar shape of the crown, it attracts with red foliage. For these compact-width trees, you can always find a place in the garden.
The first question when buying apple trees: what do you want to see in the garden when an ornamental apple tree is purchased? Answer options: pink cloud of flowers in spring, unusual reddish foliage all over summer season, a lot of bright fruits (edible or not) in the fall, the original crown (even after the leaves fall), or both, and another, and the third. Depending on the answer, different varieties of apple trees are selected. But in any case the most important indicator- winter hardiness (the ability to endure not only the most very coldy in the middle of winter, but also temperature drops at the end). The vast majority of the varieties we sell are winter-hardy enough for the middle lane.
SO, DECIDED WITH THE VARIETY, choose a specific seedling. As a rule, container plants are now on sale. Please note that the plant was exactly grown in it, and not just planted. It is quite simple to determine this - a plant grown in a container is firmly held by its roots behind a clod of earth, and if you take it by the trunk and lift it, it rises along with the clod. Plants that have been recently dug up and just planted in containers tend not to have as well-developed root systems as those in containers, causing the soil to crumble from the roots.
If a we are talking about a variety with a regular crown shape, it is preferable to choose symmetrical specimens.
When buying weeping forms, you need to pay attention to the height of the trunk (actually the trunk). All apple seedlings are grafted plants. Only in standard crowns, the scion (wild) is the root and sometimes a small lower part of the trunk, the entire top is the scion, and in weeping stocks it is both the roots and the trunk. The graft of weeping forms is located in the upper part of the trunk, and since the weeping crowns grow little upwards, mainly to the sides and down, then on a small trunk, the branches of the tree will soon fall on the lawn and it will lose its attractiveness, since the stem (trunk) is no longer up will increase. Only the grafted will grow further top part. Therefore, for weeping and umbrella forms, a high stem (not less than 1.5 m) is preferable. If shoots appear from the crown or on the stock trunk, they must be removed immediately - these are wild animals. If this is not done, they may eventually clog the grafted part.
When planting, the seedling is carefully shed with water. AT landing pit add 2-3 buckets of humus or compost and subsequently carry out standard top dressing - in the spring nitrogen fertilizers, autumn phosphorus-potassium, which helps the annual abundant flowering and fruiting.
I PLANT T decorative apple trees in a well-lit place, the optimal acidity of fertile, drained soil pH 6-6.5. The size of the plant, depending on the variety, is about 5 m in height, 3-4 m in width in adulthood. Protection against pests and diseases is the same as that of fruit trees.
The first years after planting, if the tree is not formed, proper pruning is necessary. It is usually carried out in early spring, before buds open on the branches. Of course, if the tree is not formed, then it does not die, and even in most cases it feels quite cheerful, only its decorative effect will leave much to be desired.
Standard crowns are pruned, like fruit ones - dry, broken, crossing branches are removed, while forming a bowl-shaped or columnar crown (depending on the variety). Indicator correct pruning- already after it the tree should look beautiful.
In weeping crowns, pruning is somewhat different. Long branches are shortened so that this year's shoots can grow to the sides, not down. Therefore, pruning goes to the buds looking up, the shoots growing from them will expand the diameter of the umbrella.
If you plant an ornamental apple tree solo on the lawn, then your only concern will be to maintain the shape of the crown, watering and fertilizing, and for decorative effect the apple tree itself will answer. However, you can try a more complex design option for a corner of the garden with the involvement of other woody and / or herbaceous plants, that is, to compose a composition.
A win-win option for large gardens is planting several varieties of ornamental apple trees that differ in the shade of flowers and leaves. At the same time, it is desirable to have a similar nature of the crown and the final size of the tree. For example, Hopa (Nora) with pale pink flowers and Royalty with rich red flowers look great together. A spectacular neighborhood of white and pink-flowered varieties will also be with the drooping birch Purpurea, the dark foliage of which will set off the tenderness of the flowers of the apple tree.
If the size of the garden is limited and the place allows you to plant only one apple tree, then successful 
partners in the composition with it can be varieties of mountain pine, large varieties thuja western (with a haircut in perspective).
FROM DIFFICULAR SHRUBS, you can use decorative hardwoods, choosing a variety depending on the shade of apple flowers. With white and pink-flowered apple trees, purple-leaved vesicles, varieties of Ottawa barberry or large varieties of Thunberg barberry will look good.
In a warm area, a reliable and long-term decorative combination can be obtained using purple-leaved varieties of black elderberry. Elderberry is easy to shape, so you can always keep the volume of the bush in the right size. With red-flowered apple trees in one composition, you can plant thuja western Albospicata (Albospicata), variegated varieties of white turf, mock orange Variegatus (Variegatus), black elderberry Pulverulenta (Pulvirulenta) or Albovariegata (Albovariegata).
A composition with an ornamental apple tree will attract attention throughout the season if we include long-blooming shrubs in it. The varieties of shrubby cinquefoil will not cause much trouble. We will plant a light-loving cinquefoil from the most illuminated side of the composition. Compositions of Japanese spirea or Bumalda varieties planted in the foreground may also come in handy.
All shrubs and trees that you include in a composition with an ornamental apple tree will sooner or later have to be shaped at least once a season, or even more often. This must be taken into account immediately, choosing a distance when planting, so that it is convenient to approach each plant in the composition.
GROUND CIRCLE OF APPLE BREED it is advisable to keep clean for the first few years after planting. Then it will be possible to draw it up or plant herbaceous perennials there. Small-bulbous ephemeroids for spring flowering are very unpretentious, do not require top dressing and division of bulb nests, easily propagate by self-sowing and eventually naturalize in the garden. Under an apple tree, you can plant a dense corydalis, Siberian and two-leaved scillas, chionodoxes, snowdrops.
These crops will bloom when the apple tree is just unfolding its leaves. At the same time as the apple tree, Muscari blooms, and from the traditional bulbs - daffodils and tulips of the middle flowering period. Muscari can be planted in the trunk circle, daffodils and tulips - in specially designated places on the illuminated side of the composition. Primroses, large-leaved brunner, round-leaved saxifrage coexist perfectly under the apple tree. You can “launch” a dotted bell into the trunk circle - it blooms from the end of June for more than a month, is unpretentious, has a superficial root system(that is, it will not offend our apple tree), easily spreads with stolons and quickly takes up the proposed area.
When laying an orchard, we, of course, think about the harvest. And now the garden is safely blooming and bearing fruit, but something is missing in it ... Maybe inspiration? Luxurious decorative apple trees can help with this.
Distinguishing an ornamental apple tree from a fruit variety is quite simple: its apples are used for decoration, and not for harvest. Most often they are small, brightly colored and stay on the branch for a long time without falling off. But this apparent simplicity dissolves when it comes to choosing a plant for your garden.
What is most often asked when it comes to ornamental apple trees?
“Are their fruits edible?” Such a question seems illogical in the light of the fact that the value of plants is in the color of flowers and leaves, the shape and size of fruits, in habitus, and finally, not in edibility. But no!
The brain is so arranged that apples should be apples, and not artificial decoration tree. Well, it must be admitted, only a few ornamental apple trees have bitter, slightly astringent fruits - more often they have completely edible fruits, or in general these are varieties with outstanding decorative qualities. But first things first.
IT IS IMPORTANT!
When choosing a variety, it is important to pay attention to the winter hardiness of the rootstock and the presence of intercalary inserts (when an M9 cutting is first grafted onto an ordinary strong or medium-sized stock, and a bud or cutting of a cultivated variety is grafted onto its top).
Where to plant
Of the features of cultivation, it should be noted that it is better to choose sunny, wind-protected places for planting. Soils are better with a slightly acidic or neutral reaction, preferably sandy or loamy, drained.
Required watering
AT hot weather Apple trees need watering. The amount of moisture directly affects the yield. The lack of spring rains leads to shedding of flowers and ovaries. Summer water deficiency causes the fall of the formed fruits. And autumn dryness increases the outflow nutrients from generative buds.
Repeat bloom
Sometimes the peculiarities of the weather conditions of the year cause repeated flowering in apple trees. Most often - in September. The last time this happened was in 2007. This is an anomaly for the plant. At the same time, generative buds are opened, intended for the next spring.
And, although the repeated flowering is quite decorative, it is still better to cut off the buds that open in September. Otherwise, the plant will spend energy, which will negatively affect overwintering. In any case, rapid spring flowering can not be expected.
Spectacular fruits
From August until the fruits fall, the effect of the fruit alley will be created by hybrid apple trees different varieties on high trunks, planted on both sides of the path. A different color of apples will only enhance the effect.
Varieties of ornamental apple trees - the most beautiful
In spring and early summer, stately snow-white, with a delicate marshmallow-pink bloom, the beauties of apple trees attract our attention. Ornamental apple trees that bloom with pink, raspberry and almost red flowers are no less good.
Let us turn our attention not to the newfangled, widely advertised varieties of ornamental apple trees, which often cost crazy money, but to more traditional, specific ones: they are no worse.
NEDZVETSKY
One of the most beloved, common and recognizable ornamental apple trees is me. Nedzvets-whom. She looks like an exotic among ordinary plants. It is dyed
THE NEDZWIECKI APPLE TREE IS PAINTED IN DIFFERENT SHADES OF PURPLE ALL PARTS:
red-brown bark of the trunk and branches, young leaves are burgundy-raspberry, and old ones are green with a reddish tint; luxurious rich magenta-pink flowers, dark purple skin and bright pink flesh of fruits in different shades everything is purple: red-brown bark of the trunk and branches, young leaves are burgundy-crimson, and old ones are red-green, magenta-pink flowers, dark purple peel and bright pink fruit pulp.
Interestingly, this species synthesizes the anthocyanin pigment (responsible for red coloration) throughout the season from the beginning of the growing season to the end, while in most other plants anthocyanin synthesis occurs only in spring or autumn. Flowering occurs in late May - early June.
And by August, the whole tree, whose height does not exceed 7-8 m, is covered with purple (to purple) apples with shiny glossy sides. The fruits are small, up to 1 cm in diameter, but numerous. The high winter hardiness of this apple tree allows it to winter without shelter and grow in its own root form, and not in a grafted one, which is more typical for ornamental apple trees.
The first varieties i. Niedzwiecki were received in Germany. Even 100 years ago it was the most common type of ornamental apple trees in Europe. This type of apple tree forms a beautiful crown shape, reminiscent of a bright tent. It is resistant to diseases and pests. Tolerates pruning (in early spring timeline), but more often it is not needed. But it does not grow well with excessive soil moisture.
Dwarfs and Umbrellas Two more types of apple trees deserve the close attention of amateurs and garden design professionals.
LOWEST.
I have the reputation of being the lowest of the ornamental apple trees. Sargent. Its height is usually about 2 m. And its cultural forms, as a rule, are dwarf. Abundant flowering turns into the same abundant fruiting. Although the fruits are quite difficult to call apples in the usual way. They are more like a bouquet of bright berries. Fruit diameter - 6 -8 mm. The fruits are carmine, dark red, bright red on very long stalks (up to 3 - 4 cm), which looks unusual in contrast with small fruits. By autumn, the leaves become warm shades red gold. The fruits stay on the tree for a long time, preserving the decorative effect of the plant after leaf fall. In addition, this species tolerates landing on heavy soils.
