Choose the right apple tree for your garden

Apple trees, and other fruit trees for that matter, not only produce lots of fruit, they are also an important building block in the garden. Trees add an extra dimension to both small and large gardens, and usually also offer lots of lovely fresh foliage. The character of the garden changes as soon as you add a tree to it. With its beautiful flowering and its delicious fruits, the apple tree spreads extra joy.

The first thing you should decide before buying an apple tree is how big the tree can be. And here it is not only the height of the trunk that is important, you should also think about how wide the crown of the tree can be. Even though the trees look very similar at the garden center, they will grow very differently depending on which rootstock they are grafted onto.

Apple trees cannot be propagated and become genetically identical via seed, so a scion from the desired apple variety is grafted onto a rootstock that has the characteristics you want the full-grown tree to have. We often talk about weak-growing and strong-growing rootstocks. And it is exactly as it sounds: 

The apple varieties that are grafted onto a weak-growing rootstock will grow into smaller trees that do not grow as vigorously. The strong-growing rootstocks will produce larger trees that grow more vigorously. 

Here is a review of some of the most common rootstocks:

• B9 
  A slow-growing rootstock, a so-called dwarf tree, which only grows to about 30 percent of the size of a large apple tree with, for example, an A2 rootstock. B9 is a Russian rootstock, and it is among the hardiest rootstocks available. Since this rootstock produces a very small tree, it is well suited to a small garden or as a rootstock for an espalier tree. Since the small tree also has a fairly small root system, the tree usually needs support throughout its entire life. The tree grows to about 20–30 years old, and often bears fruit after just a couple of years. Thrives across large parts of the country. ‘Gravensteiner’, ‘Rubinola’ and ‘Katinka’ are examples of apple varieties grafted onto B9 rootstock. 
  
  
• MM106 
  This rootstock works for both trees planted outdoors and in large pots, and it is known to give an early and abundant harvest. The tree usually lives for 20–30 years and thrives in the mildest parts of the country. ‘Agnes’, ‘Katja’, ‘Rødhette’ and ‘Discovery’ are examples of apple trees on this rootstock.
  
  
• A2 
  A strong-growing rootstock that produces large apple trees. The tree develops solid roots with good anchorage in the soil, and the crown of the tree becomes large. The first few seasons the tree needs to be supported, but once it has established itself properly it does well without support. It may take a few years before the tree bears fruit, but it is also a long-lived tree and can therefore bear fruit for several generations to come – the tree can actually be close to 100 years old.

Apple trees depend on so-called cross-pollination to bear fruit. This means that the flower must receive pollen from another apple variety. Pollinators such as bumblebees, bees or other insects take care of this, as long as there are other apple trees nearby. If you live in a residential area, it is usually not a problem to get your apple tree pollinated, since there are most likely other apple trees in gardens not too far away that are compatible with your apple tree.

If it is far to the nearest neighbor, or if you just want to make sure that the tree is pollinated, you can protect yourself by buying two different apple trees that pollinate each other.

Below you will see an overview of which varieties can be used for pollination. The varieties on the left are in Plantasjen's assortment and are pollinated by the varieties above.

Apple trees come in a wide variety of varieties, both in terms of appearance and taste – but also when it comes to harvest time. 

Summer apples are ready for harvest at the end of summer, while fall and winter apples are harvested later in the fall. Summer apples are usually best eaten right away, but fall and winter apples can be stored well. 

By planting several apple trees with different harvest times, you extend the harvest. Plus, you can make sure to plant varieties that pollinate each other. It's a win-win, really.

• Summer Apple – ‘Transparente Blanche’

Hardiness Zones 1–5

‘Transparente Blanche’ on a Geneva 202® rootstock is a vigorous variety that grows into a very large tree. The apples ripen in August, with yellowish-white fruits that look almost transparent when fully ripe. The flesh is firm at first, but gradually becomes floury. ‘Transparente Blanche’ has a sweet, tart taste, and you can eat the apples straight from the tree. It is also great for making applesauce. 

• Autumn Apple – ‘Gravensteiner’ 

Hardiness Zones 1–3

‘Gravensteiner’ on a B9 rootstock is slow-growing and grows into a small tree. However, the apples grow large and delicious, with a yellow base and beautiful red stripes and very juicy aromatic flesh. It is great for making applesauce, and can also be stored for a couple of months after harvest. 

• Winter Apple – ‘Kronprins’

Hardiness Zones 1–3 

‘Kronprins’ on B9 rootstock is a small, weak-growing tree with abundant, dark red apples with a juicy and sweet taste. 

You may have heard the saying before, but if not: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best is today. There is no time to lose, in other words.

Written by:

Malou Augustin, gardener, garden designer and garden inspiration who lectures and offers online courses on garden design and cultivation. 

@evergreengarden.se

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