Malus ‘John Downie’ (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Late spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 10m
Eventual Spread: 6m
Hardiness: 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
Family: Rosaceae
Malus ‘John Downie’ Flower (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Malus ‘John Downie’ is a deciduous tree with an ovoid habit. Its mid green leaves are elliptic to ovate with serrulate margins, up to 8cm long and 5cm broad. Its leaves turn orange/ yellow in autumn before they fall. Its white fragrant flowers are up to 4cm across and appear from pink buds. Its bright red/ orange/ yellow fruit are pomes, up to 3cm long, appear in autumn.
Malus ‘John Downie’ Leaf (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Malus ‘John Downie’, commonly known as John Downie Crabapple. Malus ‘John Downie’ is synonymous with Malus sylvestris ‘John Downie’.
The etymological root of the binomial name Malus is the ancient Latin name for the apple tree. John Downie was named after a nurseryman, a friend of the discoverer of this tree.
The landscape architect may find Malus ‘John Downie’ useful as a compact tree with attractive spring flowers and edible fruit, suitable for smaller gardens and community or wildlife gardens.
Malus ‘John Downie’ Bark (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Malus ‘John Downie’ flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. Its fruit are attractive to birds and some mammals.
Malus ‘John Downie’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes wet soils.
Malus ‘John Downie’ requires little maintenance.
