Malus domestica ‘red devil’
£30.00
Frequently Bought Together
Description
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Red Devil Apple
- Botanical Name: Malus domestica ‘Red Devil’
- Plant Type: Deciduous fruit tree
- Mature Height: 3–4m (as a standard tree; can be kept smaller with pruning or on dwarfing rootstock)
- Mature Spread: 2.5–3.5m
- Flowering Period: April to May
- Flower Colour: White to pale pink
- Fruit: Medium-sized, bright red apples; crisp, juicy, sweet with a hint of strawberry; striking pinkish-red flesh; harvest September
- Foliage: Mid-green, turning yellow in autumn
- Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy throughout UK & Ireland)
- Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, moderately fertile
- Aspect: Full sun (essential for best fruiting and colour)
- Maintenance: Moderate (annual pruning and thinning recommended)
Description
Malus domestica ‘Red Devil’ is a standout apple for gardeners who want something a little different—both in the fruit bowl and in the garden. This variety produces medium-sized, bright red apples with crisp, juicy flesh that’s not only sweet and refreshing, but often flushed with a striking pinkish-red colour all the way through. The flavour is unique, with a hint of strawberry, making it a favourite for eating fresh and for juicing, where its red juice is especially eye-catching.
In spring, ‘Red Devil’ is covered in clusters of white to pale pink blossom, attracting pollinators and providing a beautiful start to the season. The tree has a compact, tidy habit and is known for its reliable cropping and good disease resistance, making it an excellent choice for Irish and UK gardens. Apples are ready to pick in September and are best enjoyed fresh, though they will store for a few weeks in a cool, dry place.
Partially self-fertile, ‘Red Devil’ will crop more heavily with a compatible pollination partner (group 3—such as ‘Discovery’, ‘James Grieve’, or ‘Fiesta’) nearby. With its combination of striking looks, delicious flavour, and easy care, it’s a brilliant addition to family gardens, small orchards, or as a feature tree in a sunny spot.
Caragh Garden Notebook
Planting:
Space trees 2.5–3.5m apart for standards, or closer for cordons/espaliers. Plant bare-root or container-grown trees in late autumn to early spring (November–March). Choose a sunny, sheltered site with fertile, well-drained soil. Avoid frost pockets and waterlogged areas. Dig a generous hole, incorporate well-rotted compost, and plant at the same depth as in the nursery. Firm soil, water well, and mulch to retain moisture.
Space trees 2.5–3.5m apart for standards, or closer for cordons/espaliers. Plant bare-root or container-grown trees in late autumn to early spring (November–March). Choose a sunny, sheltered site with fertile, well-drained soil. Avoid frost pockets and waterlogged areas. Dig a generous hole, incorporate well-rotted compost, and plant at the same depth as in the nursery. Firm soil, water well, and mulch to retain moisture.
Soil Preparation:
Prefers moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil; pH 6.0–7.0 is ideal. Improve poor soils with compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
Prefers moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil; pH 6.0–7.0 is ideal. Improve poor soils with compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
Pruning & Care:
Prune annually in late winter or early spring to maintain shape, encourage fruiting spurs, and remove any dead or congested growth. Thin fruit in early summer to promote larger, healthier apples and reduce the risk of biennial bearing.
Prune annually in late winter or early spring to maintain shape, encourage fruiting spurs, and remove any dead or congested growth. Thin fruit in early summer to promote larger, healthier apples and reduce the risk of biennial bearing.
Pollination:
‘Red Devil’ is partially self-fertile but will crop best with a pollination partner from group 3 (such as ‘Discovery’, ‘James Grieve’, or ‘Fiesta’).
‘Red Devil’ is partially self-fertile but will crop best with a pollination partner from group 3 (such as ‘Discovery’, ‘James Grieve’, or ‘Fiesta’).
Harvesting:
Pick fruit in September when apples are fully coloured and come away easily from the branch. Enjoy fresh for the best flavour and colour, or juice for a unique red drink.
Pick fruit in September when apples are fully coloured and come away easily from the branch. Enjoy fresh for the best flavour and colour, or juice for a unique red drink.
Pests & Problems:
Generally reliable and disease resistant, but watch for aphids, apple scab, and codling moth. Good hygiene and regular checks help keep trees healthy.
Generally reliable and disease resistant, but watch for aphids, apple scab, and codling moth. Good hygiene and regular checks help keep trees healthy.
Propagation:
Not typically divided; propagate by grafting in winter for more trees.
Not typically divided; propagate by grafting in winter for more trees.
Related products
-
Malus domestica ‘grenadier’
£30.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Ficus carica Napolitana
£120.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Vitis vinifera / Grape Vine – Gnarled Trunk – 20-25cm Girth 3/4 Standard Tree
£450.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Mespilus Germanica Westerveld specimen multistem
£470.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
