Jessie Keith
Family
Rosaceae
Botanical Name
Malus domestica 'Red Delicious'
Plant Common Name
Apple, Red Delicious Apple, Red Eating Apple
General Description
A long-time favorite dessert apple, 'Red Delicious' was discovered in about 1875 as a chance seedling on the farm of Jesse Hiatt in Peru, Iowa. Today, it is grown around the world for its deep red color, sweetness, and long life in storage.
The tree has a rounded to oval canopy and, like all domestic apples, is descended from a deciduous species native to southwestern Asia. In spring, its branches offer clusters of sweet, fragrant white to pale pink flowers, followed by the distinctively red fruits with knobby bases. They ripen in mid-fall and hang on the tree reliably through harvest.
The tree prefers full sun and well-drained soil but will tolerate light shade and bouts of drought. It needs a different apple tree for pollination and is a good pollinator for other apple trees. For best fruit production, it must be pruned to let sunlight reach all the leaves. If they grow rapidly, the new twigs are highly susceptible to fire blight, a sometimes fatal bacterial disease. To moderate growth, fertilize sparingly or not at all and avoid severe pruning. For gardeners with limited space, there are trees grafted to growth-limiting rootstocks.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 8
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Sunset Zone
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 7
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Plant Type
Fruit
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
0'-15' / 0.0m - 4.6m
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Width
0'-15' / 0.0m - 4.6m
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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
Clay, Loam
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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
Red
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Bark Color
Brown, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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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
