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Malus domestica 'Granny Smith'

Image of Malus domestica 'Granny Smith'

Mark Kane

Family

Rosaceae

Botanical Name

Malus domestica 'Granny Smith'

Plant Common Name

Apple, Granny Smith Apple, Green Cooking Apple, Green Eating Apple

General Description

There is no better apple for tart, sweet flavor and crisp texture than 'Granny Smith.' Discovered in Tasmania in 1868 by the Australian orchardist Maria Ann Sherwood, it is descended like all domestic apples from a deciduous species native to southwestern Asia. It has a rounded to oval canopy. Sherwood later married to obtain the surname Smith, and it wasn't until the 1890s that her nurtured apple cultivar became known as Granny Smith.

In spring, its branches offer sweet, fragrant flowers of white and in fall they become laden with many shiny green apples. These are harvested in mid-fall and store very well. They are also superb for cooking and make excellent pies.

This tree prefers full sun and well-drained soil but will tolerate light shade and bouts of drought. For best fruit production, they must be pruned so sunlight reaches all the leaves. Thinning the apples when they are only the size of marbles lets the remaining apples reach full size and flavor. Thinning also helps the tree stay strong from year to year and produce good crops. For gardeners with small yards, 'Granny Smith' is available grafted to rootstocks that limit growth.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    5 - 8

  • Sunset Zone

    7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16

  • Plant Type

    Fruit

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    12'-25' / 3.7m - 7.6m

  • Width

    15'-25' / 4.6m - 7.6m

  • Bloom Time

    Early Spring, Spring

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White

  • Fruit Color

    Light Green

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green

  • Bark Color

    Brown, Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    Yes

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Fissured

  • Usage

    Edible, Feature Plant, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes