The article was written in cooperation withPolish Nurserymen Association
Malus is cultivated for its profuse flowering and for its small, but exceptionally ornamental, fruit that stays on the twigs long after the leaves have fallen. The cultivars of Paradise apple trees differ in shape, color of flowers and leaves, fruit size and color, as well as their durability and disease resistance.Such a great variety is the result of numerous breeding works aimed at obtaining the most beautiful and valuable forms of ornamental apple trees.
Jabłoń 'Ola' is one of the most interesting varieties of Polish origin, recommended especially for cultivation in small home gardens and in the green of the estate.This variety was bred by Jan Grąbczewski in Dąbrówka near Warsaw in the early 1970s.The tree is characterized by a slow growth rate, forms an openwork, spherical-flattened crown and grows up to 5 meters.
Large, single, pink flowers appear in early May. Flowering is abundant and lasts about 2 weeks. As the first petals fall, red leaves, previously hidden among the flowers, develop on the twigs.Their color is at first very intense, but at the beginning of summer the leaves turn green.The purple-red spherical fruits reach a diameter of up to 3 cm, are durable and resistant to apple scab, they stay on the twigs until winter.
Cultivation of paradise apple trees
Paradise apple trees are not more difficult to grow than traditional fruit varieties.They grow best in fertile, fresh, moderately moist soils.A sandy loam substrate provides good growth conditions for ornamental apple trees.Plants require a lot of sun to bloom and bear fruit abundantly.
Paradise varieties of apples
Planted in the shade, they often get sick, prematurely lose their leaves and fruit.When buying trees, it is worth asking which rootstock they were grafted on, because the type of plant growth depends on the type of plant.On dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstocks, the trees are smaller, but require a better substrate than those grafted on rootstocks strongly growing.
Apple fruit of 'Ola' are suitable for preserves. They can be candied,
then they will keep their nice shape and color. Candied apples are a great addition to tea. You can also make aromatic jam from apples.The fruits left on the tree are the delicacy of birds, incl. blackbirds, thrushes, quickies and waxwings. Recently, you can admire twigs with miniature apples as an element of bouquets and floral compositions.
