Russell Stafford
Family
Rosaceae
Botanical Name
Malus domestica 'Pomme Gris'
Plant Common Name
Apple
General Description
The crisp, juicy, russet-style apples of this antique cultivar from Quebec are still among the best for eating out of hand. The small, rounded to flattish fruits have thick yellow-green skin with a rough brown-tinged surface. The yellowish-white, firm, fine-grained, aromatic flesh has a robust tart-sweet flavor. The abundantly borne fruits mature in late summer and keep well for several months. Plant 'Pomme Gris' near other apple varieties to insure cross-pollination and fruiting. It makes a good choice for growers of heirloom apples. This cultivar requires moderate summers and chilly winters.
There is nothing more satisfying than growing your own apple trees. The domestic apple is most commonly a medium-sized tree with a rounded to oval canopy. It originates from southeastern Europe, Siberia, and southwestern Asia and has been in cultivation for thousands of years. In spring, these trees offer sweet, fragrant flowers of light pink, white or rose, and in fall reward us with crisp, juicy apples.
These fruits have a wide variety of colors, textures and flavors and may be eaten out-of-hand, pressed for cider, frozen, canned or baked in a variety of ways. There are thousands of cultivars available, including many interesting heirlooms as well as fresh new varieties. Different selections vary in height and may bear fruit in late summer or fall.
Apple trees do best in full sun and moist well-drained soil, but tolerate light shade and periodic drought. For best fruit production, trees must be vigorously pruned and maintained. Apples are susceptible to many pests and diseases, but resistant varieties are available.
Most apples are grafted onto rootstock that provides a wide range of benefits such as vigor, pest and disease resistance and dwarf stature, depending on the stock.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
7 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 8
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Sunset Zone
A1, A2, A3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Fruit
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
15'-25' / 4.6m - 7.6m
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Width
15'-25' / 4.6m - 7.6m
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Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring
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Native To
Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Russia/Siberia, Southern Asia, Western Asia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Pink
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Fruit Color
Yellow, Yellow Green, Dark Red, Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Light Yellow, Brown
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Bark Color
Brown, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
Yes
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
Yes
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
