Decorative apple trees
Content:
Ornamental apple trees: description of the most popular varieties
Any gardener - both a beginner and one who has some experience in growing ornamental plants - is able to grow an apple tree of this kind. Because, despite their unusual appearance, such plants are generally not particularly whimsical. If we are talking about the features of its growth and, of course, about leaving. The most popular varieties of decorative apple trees differ from each other in the variety of fruits, shades of flowers and, of course, in general in their appearance. Ornamental apple trees, due to the peculiarities of their varieties, are quite frost-resistant, have high immunity. Thanks to this, there is absolutely no reason to worry that plants may get sick or be attacked by pests and rodents.
In this regard, apple trees are more reminiscent of ornamental plants, and may have nothing to do with the usual fruit tree, which we are more accustomed to seeing in personal plots. For this reason, most gardeners like to grow ornamental apple trees in order to enjoy their appearance, and not in order to get a bountiful harvest.
In addition to the striking visual effect, a pleasant fragrance emanates from the flowers that bloom around May, which fills the entire backyard and its limits. Thanks to various varieties of ornamental apple trees, the plant is pollinated quite well, it can even bear a crop. It produces small fruits that can be dried, used for making jam, jam, jam or drinks that will appeal to both children and adults.
Weeping
The first variety, which will be discussed in this article, is Weeping. The variety is represented by a rather small tree with bright decorative properties. By the name, you can understand that the crown has a weeping shape, the height of the plant reaches two meters. The apple tree can grow well on the most common garden soils, as it is quite unpretentious. The plant should only be provided with abundant watering, but even if a short-term drought occurs, the apple tree of this variety still tolerates it.
The tree can grow alone, but it also looks great in a group planting. The peak of flowering occurs in mid-May, as at this time the plant is covered with magnificent decorative flowers, and then small red fruits appear on it, which more resemble a cherry, but not an apple tree. This is the decorative effect of this plant, and this should be borne in mind by the gardener, who has decided to plant just such a variety of decorative apple trees.
Makovetsky variety
The Makovetsky variety is one of the most popular hybrids of another well-known decorative variety - Apple trees of Nedzvetsky... Due to the fact that the plant is not capricious and completely unpretentious in care, in the process of growth and development, it can be grown both in the southern zones of the country and in less warm regions. Under normal conditions, a tree can reach a height of more than five meters. The crown is spherical, its diameter usually corresponds to the height of the plant - about five meters. Flowering, like any other varieties, occurs between May and June.
It lasts for 10-14 days, and during this time magnificent flowers of rich dark color can be observed on the tree. The variety has a high rate of pollen fertility, which is why it can itself be used as a pollinator of other apple trees, thereby increasing its fertility, and the fertility of other plants. After the flowering of the Makovetsky variety ends, bright scarlet fruits can be seen on the tree.Since the taste characteristics of fresh apples are not particularly attractive to gardeners, it is recommended to use processed fruits. The species is frost-resistant, tolerates drought well, has an average resistance to some pests, such as aphids or scab.
Ornamental apple trees of the Helena variety
Variety Helena - an adult tree of this apple tree reaches a height of no more than four meters, it is tall, but in comparison with its counterparts, it is more of a medium-tall plant. The crown is lush, spreading, does not exceed four meters in diameter. Growth is rather slow, its maximum can only reach ten years, and then taking into account the fact that the plant will receive sufficient care from the gardener. Abundant flowering occurs in the spring, after a while you can see wonderful red fruits that do not fall until late autumn. The reddish bark, which just gives the plant a decorative look, looks great in winter, giving the plant a mystery. The exterior can be enjoyed almost all year round. The variety is distinguished by a high level of resistance to sudden changes in temperature, to severe frosts or drought. But nevertheless, it is necessary to remember about some preventive measures - treatment against pests and diseases.
Red obelisk
Red Obelisk is one of the tallest plants of all decorative apple trees - more than six meters in height. The crown is columnar, it can grow up to three meters in diameter, but it must be periodically pruned and processed. The flowers are usually a delicate pink shade, but as they bloom, they slowly begin to turn white. The fruits are relatively large, red in color, which can withstand winter and remain until spring. Apples can be harvested to make jam and jam. It is worth noting that they are very attractive to birds, so it should be borne in mind that winged ones can also have a negative effect on the plant, fruits and appearance - bitten rotting fruits are unlikely to please any gardeners.
Scarlet
Scarlet is a fast-growing tree of this variety, reaching a height of almost four meters. Blooming usually in May, a huge number of dark pink flowers appear on the tree. Closer to the autumn period, instead of flowers, small fruits appear on the tree, which do not crumble for a long time. The plant loves the sun's rays, while it does not tolerate windy weather and drafts at all, so you should take care of choosing a place for planting in order to get a decorative beautiful tree within a few years after planting the seedlings. Despite all the advantages, it is this variety that has a weak resistance to diseases and pests, so it is best for a gardener to take care of the choice of preventive measures and means in order to reduce the negative effect of a pest or morbidity. Winter hardiness, however, is at a high level, thanks to which the plant can be grown in the Moscow region, it takes root well, it is used as a single plant, or as a tree in an ensemble to create a hedge.
Royal beauty
Royal beauty is another variety that deserves attention. This plant belongs to hybrid varieties, which, again, is created based on the apple of the Nedzvetsky variety. The height of the plant reaches no more than three meters, and the diameter of the crown is only one and a half meters, therefore, in a sense, it can be considered dwarf. With this growth, the crown has a weeping shape, which must always be cut and shaped. Flowering begins at the very beginning, can last up to 14 days. If the weather is hot, then the flowering period is almost halved, so you need to keep this in mind when growing the plant in different climatic and temperature regions. The flowers are dark pink in bloom, very rich and attractive.
A little later, after flowering, you can see dark red fruits on the plant, more reminiscent of cherries than apples. They do not crumble, ripen approximately in the first few days of September, however, they are completely not tasty, bitter, therefore, it is not recommended to eat them, since it is impossible to get any pleasure from such a fruit.
Robin
Robin is a variety of decorative apple trees, which is characterized by medium size, and the crown of the tree is very dense, round, it is easy to cut it off. Growth is usually four meters, during the flowering period you can see very beautiful pink-red flowers with a pleasant aroma. Outwardly, the plant is very similar to sakura, for which it is highly valued by gardeners. Closer to the autumn period, fruits appear, apples can be eaten, and they are also usually used to make compotes and jam. The fruits can be stored for several weeks and are fairly stable to transport. The variety is winter-hardy, it can be grown not only in warm zones, but also in the middle zone, where the temperature is unstable and prolonged frosts.
Ornamental apple trees Royalty
Royalty is one of the hybrid varieties that was bred from the purple apple tree. It differs in that it grows rather slowly, and by the tenth year it reaches only four meters. The crown is oval, very voluminous, with an abundant number of shoots and branches. Moreover, the crown expands as the plant matures. The variety also blooms and bears fruit profusely, apples can be eaten, but they have a very tart taste, so they are usually dried on dried fruits, or compotes are prepared from them.
Profusion
Profusion - a variety that is quite high, the crown is lush and very spreading. Like many of the varieties listed above, it blooms with pink and red flowers, reminiscent of sakura. Red fruits, small and decorative, can survive on the tree until winter and become a real treat for birds. The plant is perfect for decorating a backyard, creating beautiful plant compositions, or growing a hedge.
Of course, these are not all varieties that can be told in the framework of the narrative about decorative apple trees. All of them have similar characteristics, are excellent for growing in different regions of Russia, and their fruits can not only be a decoration for a plot and a tree, but also be used for various purposes. This is not only cooking, but also medicine, because apple tinctures have many healing properties that have a wonderful effect on the human body and his health.
Ornamental apple trees: planting and growing features
Despite the fact that we have repeatedly emphasized that ornamental apple trees are generally quite unpretentious, it is still worth noting that any plant must be provided with conditions so that it can successfully grow, develop and, of course, delight gardeners with unsurpassed results. In this case, the result is a decorative appearance.
Firstly, most often, ornamental apple trees are not very demanding on the soil, and can grow even in the most depleted areas. But, nevertheless, this can negatively affect the quality of flowers, as well as their number and, accordingly, affect the ovary. It is best to avoid soils with excess moisture, as well as wetlands, extremely dry soils. It is necessary to select a site on a plain or hill in order to prevent overmoistening of the root system, otherwise this will negatively affect the plant as a whole.
Landing
The process of planting seedlings of ornamental varieties as a whole does not differ in any way from the process of planting ordinary apple trees in open soil. It is best to plant seedlings in the spring, but sometimes it is done in the fall, which is also not prohibited.In general, the autumn planting has many positive reviews, it can be used if the gardener does not have another time.
Ornamental apple trees need vast spaces, so it is best to plant trees at a distance of at least two to three meters from each other. This way you can protect not only the root systems, but also the crowns, which grow as the plant grows older. So that they do not damage each other, do not get confused, distance and periodic pruning of plants are important. Thus, each plant will receive an area of about 5-6 meters, this is enough for ornamental apple trees to function correctly and give an excellent decorative effect to the backyard.
The pit, which is being prepared for planting an ornamental plant, is best to start cooking about 25-30 days before the plant is planted in it. You can also prepare a hole around the fall, its diameter should be a little less than one meter, and its depth should be about one meter.
Pruning and watering
After the plant has begun to grow actively, it must be pruned to form a crown. In addition, pruning helps to get rid of dry and damaged branches, which will allow new branches to grow, which will add volume and vitality to the plant, which is extremely important.
For all activities, other care measures can be omitted. But still, in the first few years after planting, it is best to give it abundant watering, as well as weed. These procedures will enhance and accelerate growth, and this is very important, because such measures are extremely necessary for the plant to feel comfortable and for a long time to please the gardener with its progress.