We decorate our plot with a decorative Royalty apple tree
The Royalty Ornamental Apple tree is a small tree that is widely used in landscaping. Its distinctive feature is large, scarlet flowers and purple leaves, due to which the tree looks like Japanese sakura. Royalty is used to decorate garden plots, squares and parks, decorate beautiful "hedges". Apple trees can be planted either one at a time or as part of original plant compositions.
Ornamental Apple Royalty - Botanical Description
Main botanical features of the ornamental royal apple tree:
- The tree belongs to perennial - its average life cycle is 60-70 years.
- The height of an apple tree, depending on the growing region, can reach 3-6 m. The growth is insignificant, no more than 45-50 cm per year.
- The crown is oval or spherical, its diameter is up to 5 m. Without trimming, it quickly acquires an irregular shape.
- The trunk is smooth, of medium diameter. The bark is smooth, dark brown in color.
- Leaves are elliptical or oblong, up to 9-12 cm long.
- The leaf plates are purple or purple in color, which gives the apple tree a spectacular decorative appearance.
- Flowers of rich crimson or ruby color, collected in inflorescences of 4-6 pieces. Flowering lasts about 15-20 days, starting in the first days of May.
The fruits of the apple tree are elongated and small - no more than 2-3 cm. They are covered with a thin skin of dark red color with a grayish waxy bloom.
The fruits of the ornamental royalty apple have an unpleasant bitter-sour taste, therefore they are considered inedible.
Planting an ornamental apple tree Royalty
Planting and caring for the Royalty apple tree is not difficult, so even a novice gardener can grow a beautiful and original tree on the site. The tree has no special requirements for soil and lighting, which makes it a versatile ornamental crop.
Choosing a place and landing dates
Royalty apple trees do not need an abundance of sunlight; they grow equally well in both illuminated and shaded areas. The best option for growing a tree would be loamy or sandy loam soil with medium fertility.
The Royal apple trees can be planted both in spring and autumn. This can be done only after the soil warms up evenly, but the buds on the trees have not yet blossomed. In most regions, this is late March or early April. Autumn planting is carried out in mid-September or October, 4-6 weeks before the first frost.
Distance between apple trees
When planting royalties apple trees, a distance must be left, which depends on the purpose of the landscape idea:
- Single landing. The distance between the apple trees should be at least 12-15 m.
- When creating alleys, seedlings are planted every 3 m.
- To design a "hedge", the distance between the apple trees is 3-5 m.
Royalty apple trees can be planted closer to each other, but it must be borne in mind that over time, their crown will grow. This will impair the aesthetic appeal of the ornamental trees.
Algorithm of actions when landing
Wells for seedlings of the Royal apple tree need to be prepared in advance - for spring planting in autumn, for autumn planting in 2-3 weeks.The depth of the pits should be sufficient for the rhizome - about 45-55 cm, diameter about 75-85 cm.
Landing rules:
- Fill the bottom of the holes with a drainage layer - fine expanded clay, pebbles or coarse river sand.
- A mixture of humus with peat or fertile garden soil mixed with complex fertilizers.
- If the roots of the seedlings are bare, it is better to immerse them in a growth stimulator before planting and leave for 4-6 hours.
- Lower the seedling vertically into the hole and straighten the roots, sprinkle with soil so that the root collar rises 3 cm above the ground.
- Water the seedlings, pouring at least ½ water under each.
When planting in autumn, apple seedlings must be protected from frost by mulching with straw, sod or covering agrofibre... Winter preparation can be carried out immediately after the tree has shed most of its foliage - from mid to late October.
Apple tree care
Apple Royalty is an unpretentious culture. But proper watering, pruning, prevention and timely control of diseases and pests significantly improve the decorative qualities of the purple tree.
Proper watering
Royalty is a variety to which excess moisture is more harmful than lack of moisture. It was bred for cultivation in arid Asian regions, so high humidity leads to discoloration of the foliage, the fall of flowers and fruits, and root rot.
Apple Royalty needs watering only during prolonged dry weather during the flowering period and in the summer heat. For young seedlings, 1 bucket of water is enough, for old apple trees - 3 buckets. After watering, be sure to mulch the tree trunk circle - this will help the soil to retain moisture for a long time.
Top dressing and pruning
The first top dressing is carried out no earlier than 10-12 months after planting the seedlings. Complex fertilizers intended for ornamental crops are applied to the soil - it is best to do this in spring, before the apple tree begins to bloom.
A feature of the Royalty variety is a negative reaction to pruning - the tree noticeably slows down its growth, and in some cases it may die. Many gardeners prefer to do without pruning so as not to injure the apple tree.
In case of sanitary necessity, it is better to prune the tree in the spring, removing all diseased, dry and damaged shoots. When the foliage blooms, you can carefully cut off the branches that protrude beyond the borders of the crown and spoil its appearance.
Frost resistance and immunity to diseases
The variety is highly resistant to adverse weather conditions - it can easily withstand air temperatures down to -31 ° C. Therefore, ornamental royalties apple trees can be grown in all regions of Russia.
This variety is characterized by average disease resistance. With insufficient care or violation of cultivation techniques, the apple tree can be affected by powdery mildew, scab. At the same time, the Royalties practically do not arouse "interest" among insect pests.
Apple-tree Royalty in landscape design
Apple royalty in landscape design is used to design park areas, city squares and streets, they are planted in front of administrative buildings, country houses. Thanks to the wide crown of rich crimson or crimson color, Royalties can become a bright decoration of any personal plot.
Decorative apple trees are used to create "hedges" along plots or alleys. In order to emphasize the unusual color of the Royalty, “neutral” trees are planted nearby - poplar, maple.
Royalty is a decorative apple tree that attracts attention with its unusual appearance, reminiscent of Japanese sakura. The tree is unpretentious in cultivation and maintenance, does not require regular watering and pruning, so that even a novice gardener can grow it. Luxurious and lush crimson-pink inflorescences will make the Royalties a spectacular decoration for any landscape.
Decorative apple-tree Royalty at their summer cottage - video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEXMNkoTmuU