Malus Ballerina Red Leaf - Ballerina Apple Tree

The Malus domestica 'Red Leaf' will pleasantly surprise you with its many qualities. A self-fertile dwarf tree with a columnar habit is suitable for small gardens and can even be grown in a container on a terrace. A fruiting variety, it is also ornamental with its young reddish leaves in spring and its beautiful pale pink flowers. As they ripen, they develop into beautiful red apples with a highly developed aroma. They can be consumed as soon as they are harvested and also store very well. This small tree, which does not exceed 2m (7ft), is very hardy and grows well in soil that is not too alkaline or acidic and mainly not too dry. Plant it in a sunny location to promote fruit ripening. 

The Malus domestica, also called Malus communis or Malus pumila over the centuries, is commonly known as the Common or Domestic Apple Tree. It belongs to the large family of Rosaceae, which includes many fruit species (Pear trees, Cherry trees, Peach trees), ornamental species (Roses, of course, Amelanchier, Kerria, Photinia), as well as small fruits (blackberries, raspberries, strawberries) and numerous wild species found in our countryside and forests. Present in France and Europe since ancient times, the Malus domestica is a fruit tree native to the forests of central Asia, probably from Kazakhstan. It is highly hardy and is likely the most cultivated fruit tree in Northern Europe. There are approximately 20,000 varieties, including around 10,000 of American origin, 2,000 of English origin, and 2,000 of Chinese origin.

'Red Leaf' is a distinctive columnar variety, forming a small tree that reaches a height of 1.50 to 2m (5 to 7ft) and a width of less than 1m (3ft). In spring, the emerging young foliage reveals a beautiful wine-coloured red, hence its name, Red Leaf. It gradually turns green during the growing season. In April, pink flower buds open into single flowers with pale pink petals until May, which generally protects them from frost. The flowers are indeed destroyed by frost from -2 to -3°C. However, the tree itself is very hardy and suitable for cultivation in all regions of France. Red Leaf is a self-fertile variety that does not require another tree nearby for pollination. The fertilised flowers develop into beautiful, shiny red apples, ripe in September-October. The flesh is highly aromatic and slightly acidic, and while they are delicious to eat when harvested, they also have good storage ability. They can be stored in a cool, dry place, away from light, around 8 to 10°C, or in a cold room, sealed off from outside air, at 1 to 3°C. Apples release ethylene, a gas that promotes fruit ripening. Place your apples next to them to accelerate the ripening of your other fruits or vegetables. Apples are a highly satiating fruit. Rich in carbohydrates and fructose, they are invigorating, energising, and hydrating. Their content of vitamins A, B, C, and E, minerals, antioxidants, and fibre make apples a healthy asset.
This variety is very hardy and will thrive in sunny exposures and most soils. However, it does not tolerate dry soils. 

With its compact size, which allows it to be grown in any garden and even in a container on a terrace, Red Leaf is part of the dwarf fruit trees that will enable everyone to enjoy homegrown fruits. Treat yourself to a peach tree like Bonanza, a self-fertile variety that will delight you with its fruits from early August. The Garden Pearl Dwarf Pear Tree, with fruits as large as conventional varieties, will also be a good choice for your small orchard and the Goldust Dwarf Plum Tree, another dwarf fruit tree with yellow and sweet fruits.