APPLES

BY FAR the most common fruit tree is an apple. It can make a wonderful spreading tree, big enough for a child to climb or hang a swing from, or small enough to grow in a pot or against a wall. Apple blossom on a lovely May day is one of the glories of the garden. All apples need a pollinator growing within about 100 yards, so either grow two or check that there are apples growing in your neighbours’ gardens. Apples flower from about the middle of April to the middle of May with each tree’s blossom lasting about ten days. This means that they do not all overlap and cannot all pollinate each other, so make sure that your trees flower at the same time. Pruning in July and August will restrict growth and is essential for training restricted forms such as espaliers (see panel right). Winter pruning, between November and March, has the opposite effect, encouraging vigorous regrowth around and below each cut.

VARIETIES: There are over 600 varieties of apple, but my favourites are:

Eaters — ‘Jupiter’, ‘Ribston Pippin’ and ‘Rosemary Russet’.

Cookers — ‘Blenheim Orange’, ‘Arthur Turner’ and ‘Newton Wonder’.