Malus domestica Gravenstein (Semi-Dwarf Apple)

A justly famous variety, Malus domestica 'Gravenstein' is a culinary or dessert cultivar with a profusion of fragrant, pure white flowers very early in the season (early-mid spring). Draped in clusters along the branches, they are truly a sight to behold. The flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. They are followed in the fall by a heavy crop of large, deep yellow apples with brilliant red stripes. Crisp, aromatic, juicy, they are perfect for eating or cooking. 'Gravenstein' requires pollination by 2 other early-flowering apple trees (of different varieties) such as McIntosh. Gravenstein is a triploid apple cultivar that originated in the 17th century or earlier and is surprisingly cold hardy. Beautiful in bloom, heavy with luscious apples, picturesque when old, apple trees are very rewarding additions to the landscape.

• Grows up to 12-15 ft. tall and wide (3-5 m).
• A full sun lover, this tree is easily grown in deep, loamy, moderately fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Prefers a sheltered, frost-free position.
• Since edible apple cultivars do not grow well on their own roots, most varieties have been grafted onto rootstocks and are classified as dwarf (8-10 ft, 2-3 m), semi-dwarf (12-15 ft, 3-5 m) and standard (18-25 ft, 5-8 m). The fruit itself is full size and not dwarfed. Dwarf or semi-dwarf apple trees offer some benefits: they produce fruit at an earlier age and are easier to manage (spray, prune and harvest).
• Apples should be pruned every year to get the best crop. They also need to be thinned to about 8 in. apart (20 cm) if you want to reap the best-quality fruit.
• This deciduous apple tree adds a charming presence, tucked into a shrub border or planted as a specimen.
• Keep an eye out for aphids, woolly aphid, rosy apple aphid, fruit tree red spider mite, mussel scale, codling moth, caterpillars, Apple scab, apple canker, powdery mildews, blossom wilt and honey fungus.
• Propagate by chip budding or grafting onto a clonal rootstock for fruit.