Malus purpurea
Malus purpurea · Rosaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around malus purpurea and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- Spring (April-May)
- Adult size
- 6 to 8 m in height
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -20 °C)
- Origin
- Horticultural hybrid derived from Malus sieversii
- Soil type
- Well-drained, fertile, neutral to slightly acidic
Care
Exposure
Install your Malus purpurea in full sun to encourage abundant flowering and beautiful coloration of foliage and flowers. A minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight daily is desirable. In shade, flowering will be less spectacular and the plant will gradually weaken.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year after planting to establish a deep root system. Once established, the tree tolerates moderate drought well. During hot spells, water deeply one to two times per week. Avoid permanent waterlogging which promotes fungal diseases.
Pruning and shaping
Prune lightly after flowering to structure the silhouette and remove dead or diseased wood. Encourage balanced branching by removing crossing branches. Severe pruning is generally unnecessary: this species develops naturally with an attractive form.
Fertilizer
An application of compost or well-decomposed manure each autumn is sufficient to nourish the tree. In poor soil, a balanced fertilizer in spring accelerates growth. Avoid excess nitrogen which stimulates foliage at the expense of flowering.
Soil and drainage
Malus purpurea prefers well-drained, fertile soil. Amending with compost at planting time improves structure and moderate water retention. In compact or heavy soil, work the earth and slightly raise the base to avoid waterlogging.
Diseases and pests
Watch for powdery mildew and scab which can affect foliage in humid conditions. Good air circulation reduces risks. Aphids and spider mites are occasional: a water spray or biological intervention generally suffice.
Did you know?
Malus purpurea is a hybrid created through horticultural improvement in the 20th century, valued for its magnificent purple-pink flowers and foliage tinted with dark color. Its small red apples, though little edible as they are, remain decorative in autumn and attract birds that feast on these fruits. It is one of the most beautiful ornamental apple trees, often chosen for the structure and color it brings to contemporary or traditional garden designs.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Apple treeMalus domestica
- Cherry treePrunus avium
- BlackthornPrunus spinosa
- Salad burnetPoterium sanguisorba
- Bird cherryPrunus padus
- BrambleRubus fruticosus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.