Malus domestica ‘Red Delicious’
The most popular apple tree cultivar in North America, ‘Red Delicious’ produces a medium- to large-sized red apple that is tender, crisp and juicy with a sweet, mild flavor, great for fresh eating and desserts. The fruit will keep for 3–6 months if stored in the refrigerator. It yields ripe fruit typically from mid- to late September to mid-October. Blooms midseason, with pinkish-white flowers. Pollinates with Yellow Delicious, Red Jonathan, Early Harvest, or a variety from a different apple family. This variety tends to be a biennial bearer, meaning that the trees will produce heavily one year and sparsely the next. Bears fruit in 6-10 years.
Type: USDA zone 5-8
Light: Full Sun
Water: Water deeply and regularly; weekly, or more in extreme heat or containers.
Size: Fast growth; grows by more than 24″ per year to a height of 20’–25′ and a spread of around 25′ at maturity.
