Malus ‘John Downie’

‘John Downie’ has been a garden favourite since the 1870s and is still one of the best crabapples for fruit. Pink buds open to masses of pure white flowers in late spring, followed by heavy crops of large, oblong, orange-red fruits that ripen in autumn and make first-class crabapple jelly.

It forms an upright, narrowly conical small tree to around 7 to 8m tall, with a neat habit that suits smaller gardens. Foliage turns warm yellow tones in autumn. Holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Plant in full sun in any reasonable well-drained soil. Minimal pruning needed, remove any crossing branches or damaged wood in winter. Good for pollinating other apples flowering around the same time.

A proper all-rounder for a kitchen garden, a small lawn, or as a specimen tree with blossom, fruit and autumn colour in one plant.