Malus Diable Rouge

The Malus Diable Rouge is an ornamental apple tree with many qualities. In April, it is covered in dark red flowers, on a juvenile foliage that is also purple. The leaves then turn green, and in autumn they take on a yellow color. Finally, numerous small dark red decorative fruits persist until late in the year. Another advantage of this ornamental apple tree is its compactness, which allows it to fit into any small garden. Adaptable to different types of soil, loving sunny exposures, very hardy, it is a particularly desirable shrub or small tree.

Apple trees belong to the large family of Rosaceae, which is well represented in our latitudes and has both environmental and economic importance. It includes many wild species from our countryside (sorb, blackthorn, wild rose), as well as plants with food purposes, fruit trees (apple trees, pear trees, cherry trees, apricot trees) or small fruits (raspberries, strawberries, blackberries). And of course, our ornamental gardens owe many gems to this family, such as the rose, queen of flowers, cotoneasters, pyracanthas, amelanchiers and ornamental apple trees.

'Diable Rouge' is a valuable variety for small spaces, due to its limited growth. As a large shrub or small tree, this apple tree forms a cone shape that widens more or less with age, reaching a height of 4m (13 ft 1 in) and a spread of 3m (9 ft 10 in). It exhibits a spectacular flowering in April, covered in dark red flowers that outshine the young, purple leaves. The single flowers with 5 petals compensate for their small size (about 3cm (1.2 in)) with their profusion, covering all the branches of the shrub. Gradually turning green, the slightly toothed oval leaves turn yellow in autumn. This season is also brightened by the numerous small fruits, 1cm (0.4 in) in diameter, with a shiny dark red color, covering the branches until the end of the year.
This beautiful flowering apple tree grows in all types of soil, preferably clayey and well-drained, and appreciates some humidity to thrive. During the first two years, it will need regular watering to promote good rooting. It should be planted in a sunny location to promote flowering.

This little gem of an ornamental apple tree can be integrated into a countryside hedge by being pruned every year to contain its growth. In a small garden, it will also be very decorative planted isolated on a short grass meadow. Its limited growth also allows it to be mixed in a flower bed with shrubs that flower at different times, covering the entire season. An Abeliophyllum distichum will open the season with its white flowering in February-March, resembling that of the Forsythia. A Kolkwitzia 'Pink Cloud' will take over from the apple tree in May-June with its profusion of small pale pink flowers. An Hibiscus syriacus will provide a spectacle in summer, with its many varieties offering a wide choice of flower colours. And to end the year, a laurier-tin 'Gwenlian' will brighten the flower bed with its beautiful bunches of small flowers highlighted by its evergreen foliage.

'Diable Rouge' is a creation of the nurseryman Jean-Pierre Hennebelle, who unfortunately passed away in 2002, a generous and passionate man who knew how to share his love for plants and his region. His nursery in Pas-de-Calais was designed as an experimental garden, where he presented his plants in situ, like in a park. With a spade in hand, he would dig out the desired plant for the enthusiast who came to him for extraordinary plants. A rare place, far from the straight rows of traditional nurseries, now maintained by his sons, Nicolas and Jean-Loup, who continue his work.