Malus domestica Delicado

The 'Delicado' Dwarf Apple Tree is a variety that is both compact and slow-growing, reaching a height of 1.70 or 1.80 metres (6 feet) after many years. Its compact growth doesn't prevent it from being very fruitful, as long as it is placed near other Apple tree varieties, as it is not self-fertile. We appreciate its beautiful spring flowering in a pale pinkish white colour that brightens up the days in April and May. And above all, we love its yellow and red fruits, fragrant and sweet, with a touch of acidity, which ripen from August onwards. Hardy, it can be grown in a pot on a terrace or even a balcony, or planted in most ordinary soils.

Malus domestica, or Common Apple Tree, is a member of the Rosaceae family, like most of our other fruit trees (Pear tree, Apricot tree, Plum tree...). Present in Europe since ancient times, it is a fruit tree native to the forests of Central Asia. It is highly hardy, probably the most cultivated fruit tree in Northern Europe, with around 20,000 varieties worldwide, making it a plant of great economic importance.
The variety 'Delicado' is part of the range of miniature fruit trees which is gradually expanding with the growing trend of terraces, balconies, and patios. These living spaces are no longer reserved for ornamental plants, and dwarf fruit trees like 'Delicado', which offer both ornamental flowering and edible fruits, have their rightful place there. 'Delicado' has a slow growth, only about 10 to 20cm (4 to 8in) per year. It takes about 15 years to reach its maximum development, reaching approximately 1.80 metres (6 feet) in height and 1 to 1.20 metres (3 to 4 feet) in width. It is possible to further limit its dimensions to 1.50 metres (5 feet) in height by lightly pruning it if space is really limited. Its vegetation consists of medium to dark green oval-shaped leaves with serrated edges, which turn yellow in autumn. The flowering appears and blooms in April-May in the form of simple flowers with 5 rounded petals, measuring 2 to 3cm (1in) in diameter. Slightly pinkish white, these simple flowers have a true charm with a romantic inspiration.
Since this variety is not self-fertile, the flowers must be pollinated by the pollen from other Apple trees nearby. The best pollinating varieties for 'Delicado' are the classic 'Cox's Orange', the variety 'James Grieve', and the 'Topaz' Apple Tree, with its bright red fruits. When pollinated, the flowers will produce numerous medium-sized apples, with yellow skin turning red on the side exposed to the sun. They ripen from August depending on the climate zone, and in September, and are excellent for eating. Their flesh is juicy and aromatic, both sweet and slightly acidic. Thanks to its compact habit, even children can harvest them without needing to climb a ladder.
Hardy to approximately -20°C (-4°F), this dwarf tree requires very little maintenance. Sunlight and regular watering will make it happy, and you just need to keep an eye on its health to intervene in case of aphid attack or other issues. Very easy to grow in a pot, requiring minimal pruning, it tolerates the urban atmosphere well. It is the ideal dwarf fruit tree for city dwellers.

Thanks to dwarf fruit trees like this 'Delicado' Apple Tree, it is easy to create a mini orchard to enjoy your own pears, peaches, or cherries. For example, the Fruit Me Peach Me Red Dwarf Peach Tree, a self-fertile variety with quick fruiting, will give you delicious yellow-fleshed peaches in summer, and also reward you with beautiful pink flowering in spring. The 'Sylvia' Columnar Cherry Tree, with its very graphic habit and also self-fertile, produces white flowers in April, which then develop into beautiful bright red cherries with sweet and crunchy flesh. Among the Pear trees, the famous 'Belle Hélène' is available in a dwarf version, offering its renowned fruits of the same size as the normal-sized variety. In addition to these fruit trees, also consider adopting some aromatic plants that will accompany your dishes in the kitchen...