Niedzwetzkyana crab apple trees

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• Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
• Blossom colour: Red - dark
• Fruit colour: Red - dark

Niedzwetskyana is a crab-apple native to central Asia, noted for the extensive red anthocyanin pigmentation found in all parts of the tree.

The apples have a very dark red skin and the flesh varies from light pink to red. The spring blossom is also a very deep red colour. The dark red pigmentation is also found in the wood of young shoots. The leaves have a dull red / bronze colour when they emerge in the spring, but turn dark green over the summer.

Atlhough the crab-apples can be eaten or juiced, the flavour is poor - this species is mainly grown for its unique ornamental value.

 

 

Niedzwetzkyana crab apple trees for sale

Growing and Training

Malus niedzwetskyana is very cold hardy and has some natural drought resistance.

History

Niedzwetskyana was identified and named by Russian enthusiast Vladislav Niedzwiecki (or Niedzwetzky) in the late 19th century, when he was living in what is now Kazakhstan. Although usually considered to belong to the common apple species Malus domestica, it is sometimes considered to be a separate species - Malus niedzwetskyana - on account of its very unusual characteristics.

Niedzwetskyana has been widely used in breeding programmes because of the intensity of its dark red blossom - most of the modern bronze-leaved crab-apple varieties have Niedzwetskyana somewhere in their ancestry. A number of mainstream apple varieties have also been raised from it, and they typically have red or pink flesh.

British-grown trees

Unlike many garden centres and online retailers, the vast majority of our fruit trees are grown in the UK. Find out more.

All our trees are certified under the Plant Healthy scheme, supervised by the Plant Health Alliance. Other stakeholders include Defra and the RHS. Find out more.

Guaranteed fruit trees

When you buy your fruit tree from Orange Pippin Fruit Trees we guarantee it for the first season in your garden while it gets established. If it doesn't grow successfully, we'll either replace it the following season or offer a refund, subject to some conditions. Find out more.

More about crab apple trees

We have a huge range of crab-apple trees, with blossom colours from white to dark crimson, and fruitlet colours from red to orange to yellow, and lots of different sizes and forms.

It is well-known that many crab-apples (especially the ones with white blossom and green leaves) are excellent pollinators for mainstream apple varieties. This is because they produce huge quantities of pollen, usually over a long period, and with good compatiblity. Evereste, Golden Gem, Golden Hornet, John Downie and Red Sentinel are popular for this purpose.

While crab-apples are primarily used for their ornamental value, many are also useful for crab-apple jelly, and providing natural pectin for cooking with.  Have a look at Laura, Jelly King, Pink Glow, and Harry Baker.