- novelty
- New
Summerred apple tree
Malus domestica 'Summerred'
‘Summerred’ produces vibrant red apples with crisp, juicy flesh starting in mid-August. Perfect for fresh eating and easy to manage, it’s an excellent addition to any home orchard or garden.
Description
Height at maturity
2.5 to 3.5 m
Wingspan at maturity
2 to 3 m
Exposure
Sun, partial shade
Flowering
April
Hardiness
-25°C
Origin
Canada
Summerred apple tree – Malus domestica 'Summerred'
Main interest
The ‘Summerred’ apple tree is a modern and versatile fruit variety developed in Canada and prized for its early harvest, vivid red apples, and sweet, juicy, aromatic flesh. A hybrid of ‘McIntosh’ and ‘Golden Delicious’, it inherits the best of both parents: excellent flavour and a beautiful appearance. Apples ripen as early as mid-August, providing a generous crop before the start of autumn. Their white, crisp flesh offers a balanced blend of sugar and acidity, with subtle fruity and musky notes. Perfect for fresh eating, fruit salads, or fresh-pressed juice. With its semi-upright habit and consistent productivity, this tree is ideal for small orchards or family gardens. Grafted onto dwarf rootstocks, it remains moderately sized, easy to manage and harvest. Its bloom is abundant, white with pink hues, and highly attractive to pollinators. Hardy down to –25 °C, it is well suited to temperate climates, with good scab resistance and early fruiting. Its only drawback is its short shelf life – the apples should be consumed within two to three weeks of harvest. This makes it a perfect fresh-eating summer variety for gardeners seeking flavour and simplicity.
Origins and characteristics
Geographic origin: Canada (British Columbia), developed in the 1960s.
Botanical family: Rosaceae
Notable features: A cross between ‘McIntosh’ (flavour) and ‘Golden Delicious’ (texture). A modern summer apple known for its early maturity, deep red colour, and ease of cultivation.
Description and traits
Mature height: 2.5 to 3.5 metres (dwarf form).
Mature width: 2 to 3 metres, depending on pruning.
Growth habit (form): Semi-upright, slightly spreading, well balanced.
Bark: Greyish-brown, smooth on young branches, becoming thicker and lightly fissured with age.
Foliage: Deciduous, mid-green, oval to elongated, toothed. Turns yellow in autumn.
Growth rate: Moderately vigorous. Fruits from year 2 or 3 after planting.
Hardiness: Excellent, down to –25 °C. Well suited for cooler climates and humid areas.
Flowering and fruiting
Flowering period: Mid-April.
Flower description: Single, white blossoms with pink tinges, clustered in corymbs. Very attractive to bees.
Fruits: Medium to large apples, round, bright crimson-red with a light waxy bloom. Flesh is white, crisp, juicy, mildly acidic with a pleasant sweetness. Harvest: mid to late August. Storage: short – 2 to 3 weeks.
Pollinators: Requires cross-pollination. Compatible varieties: ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Alkmene’, ‘Gloster’, ‘James Grieve’, ‘Cox’s Orange Pippin’, ‘Reine des Reinettes’, ‘Elstar’, ‘Discovery’.
Melliferous or faunal value: Rich in nectar and pollen. Fallen fruits are enjoyed by thrushes and other fruit-eating birds.
Light and soil
Ideal exposure: Full sun, sheltered from cold spring winds.
Suitable soil type: Deep, fertile, loamy to light soil, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral. Avoid compact or wet soils.
Planting
Soil preparation tips: Loosen soil to 40 cm deep and enrich with mature compost or well-rotted manure. Best planting time: October to March (outside frost periods).
Spacing between trees: 3.5 to 4 metres for dwarf trees.
Soil nature: Neutral to slightly acidic, fertile, fresh, loose soil. Avoid standing water.
Watering
Water needs at planting: Regular watering during the first two years, especially in dry conditions.
Water needs at maturity: Moderate. Mulch is helpful for moisture retention.
Pruning
When and how to prune: Train in early years (central leader or open vase shape). Winter pruning: remove dead wood, crossing or inward-facing branches. Light thinning may be done in spring if necessary.
Propagation
Propagation methods: Grafting onto M9 (dwarf) or MM106 (semi-dwarf) rootstocks. Seed propagation does not maintain varietal traits.
Uses in the garden
Ideal placement: Family orchard, home garden, espaliered fruit hedge, or stand-alone fruit tree.
Recommended companion plants: Comfrey, marigold, borage, lavender, thyme – useful for pollinator attraction and natural pest control.
Traditional uses
Description of historical or cultural uses: A modern variety with no traditional uses. Appreciated today for fresh eating, summer salads and homemade juice.
Disease protection
Possible sensitivities: Fairly resistant to apple scab. May be prone to powdery mildew in damp regions if poorly ventilated.
Preventive tips and natural treatments: Regular pruning to maintain air circulation. Use horsetail decoction or clay sprays in spring. Encourage biodiversity.
Tips for healthy growth
Practical care advice: Plant in sunny, well-drained soil. Mulch around base to retain moisture. Prune annually in winter. Monitor for disease in humid climates. Always plant near a suitable pollinator.
Cultivar differences and specificities
Malus domestica 'Summerred' stands out for its early ripening in August, bright red apples with crisp, aromatic flesh, and steady yields. It combines the best of ‘McIntosh’ (fragrance) and ‘Golden Delicious’ (firm texture). With its moderate growth, it's easy to manage in small gardens. Although not suitable for long storage, it’s perfect for filling the seasonal gap between early apples and late keepers. Its healthy foliage, abundant bloom, and compact form make it a great choice for beginner and seasoned gardeners alike.
Features
- Common name : Summerred apple tree
- Family : Rosaceae
- Category : grafted low stem fruit tree
- Spread : 2 to 3 m
- Foliage : deciduous
- Color of flowers : Pinkish white
- Fruit : Medium to large, bright carmine red apples. White flesh, crisp, juicy, slightly tart and sweet.
- Use : isolated - orchard
- Soil : all
- Habit : upright
- Enemies : aphids - caterpillars
- Possible diseases : Scab tolerant, susceptible to powdery mildew.
- rootstock : MM111
- Pollinator : Golden Delicious, Alkamène, Globster, James Grieve, Cox Orange, Reine des Reinettes, Elstar, Discovery.
Expédition & livraison
How does the delivery work?
As soon as you place your order your plants are selected
Each order is processed individually.
Plants are packed, staked and labeled.
Packaging is carefully implemented to avoid any problems.
Packages are ready to be shipped.
Our delivery methods
Shipping of our plants throughout Europe (except overseas and islands).
Customer reviews
Nobody has posted a review yet
in this language
16 other products in the same category:
Cherry tree bigarreau Marmotte
Prunus avium Marmotte
Plant height
40/50 cm in 1 liter pot (Grafted plant)
Cherry tree bigarreau Napoléon
Prunus Bigarreau Napoléon
Plant height
40/50 cm in 1 liter pot (Grafted plant)
- novelty
Nashi Pear Shinseiki
Pyrus pyrifolia 'shinseiki'
Plant height
40/50 cm in 1 liter pot (Grafted plant)
- novelty
Columnar cherry tree Sylvia
Prunus Avium Sylvia
Plant height
40/60 cm in 1 liter pot (Grafted plant)
Almond tree Robijn (in 10 liter pot)
Prunus Dulcis Robijn
Plant height
150/160 cm in 10 liter pot (only in Click and collect)
- Pick up on site
- Pick up on site
Pear tree Obelisk® « columnar » (in 10 liter pot)
Pyrus communis Obelisk®
Plant height
120/130 cm in 10 liter pot (only in Click and collect)
- Out-of-Stock
- Pick up on site
