#CRAB APPLE JOHN DOWNIE HOW TO#

The summer foliage is a pleasant glossy green, which mellows into buttery yellow as the summer fades. They are popular for bees, encouraging pollination of other Apple trees and plants in the area. These are tinged with wonderful shades of water-washed pink and subtle lilac from the still opening buds. At the end of Spring, this Malus produces beautiful white flowers that envelope the entire canopy. This charming Malus is perhaps one of the most popular due to its fruit. He named the tree after his good friend and fellow nurseryman John Downie in his honour. Edward enjoyed the flavoursome taste of the fruit, leading to its commercial supply. Thompson & Morgan strives to ensure that all its plants are delivered to you in the perfect condition for planting.Raised by Edward Holmes at Whittington, England during the 1870s. Please see our Delivery page for further details, and more information on different charges that may apply to certain destinations.įor more information on how we send your plants please visit our Helpful Guide on plant sizes. Large items may incur a higher delivery charge - this will be displayed in your shopping basket. Where an order includes both packets of seeds and other products, a maximum delivery charge of £7.99 will apply - regardless of the number of items ordered. Orders which include any other products will incur a delivery charge of £6.99. Orders for packets of seed incur a delivery charge of £2.99. Delivery times will be stated on the product page above, or in your order acknowledgement page and email. are delivered at the appropriate time for planting or potting on. Plants, bulbs, corms, tubers, shrubs, trees, potatoes, etc. Seeds and garden supplies will normally be delivered within the time period stated against each product as detailed above. Stake trees, taller shrubs and roses to prevent root disturbance. Set these at the same level as they were in the nursery field – you should see a soil line at the base of the stem. If conditions prevent immediate planting, set roughly into loose soil or a pot of compost (‘heeling in’) to protect the roots.

Apply a mulch to protect roots from cold temperatures. Tread down the planting soil to knock out air pockets. Set out in prepared soil in holes wide enough and deep enough to lay out the roots. They often look dead on arrival, but they are just resting in the dormant period and will establish quickly for a strong start in the garden come spring. These plants are lifted from the nursery field when dormant, and sent to you in late autumn or spring for planting. Fasten the tree to the stake using a tree tie, and water well. Plant fruit trees at their original soil level and firm them into the ground. Staking after planting may result in damage to the root ball. Prior to planting, incorporate plenty of well rotted manure or garden compost into the planting hole and drive the stake into the ground to support the tree. Plant crab apple trees in a sheltered, sunny position in any fertile, well drained soil. The height and spread of the plant delivered will vary depending on the season, meaning arrival images are an indication only.

Plant height and spread is seasonal therefore we list by pot size rather than a defined plant size.

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#CRAB APPLE JOHN DOWNIE HOW TO#

How to grow fruit trees Fruit rootstock guideĬulinary note: Some parts of these flowers are edible. Height and spread: 4m (13’).Įstimated time to cropping once planted: 1 year. Crab apples are self fertile and if planted near orchard apple trees they make excellent pollinators. Any unpicked fruits will soften after a few frosts to create a sumptuous food source for wild birds. Crab apple fruits can be harvested to make delicious crab apple jelly. Crab Apple ‘John Downie’ makes an attractive and productive specimen tree for smaller gardens, with a long season of interest. One of the most popular crab apples for jelly making! Pink buds open to reveal pretty white cup shaped blossom in April and May, followed by large orange and red fruits in autumn.

Crab apple john downie