Isn’t it so satisfying to bite into a crunchy, fresh apple on a sunny afternoon?
Now imagine if you could get those fresh fruits right off a tree in your backyard.
Apple trees are fairly straightforward to grow, especially from young trees or saplings. And there are plenty of varieties available, from the homey Granny Smith to the pretty Pink Lady.
When choosing apple varieties, key factors to consider include local climate, soil conditions, and required chill hours. You’ll also need to have at least one other apple tree nearby so yours produces fruit!
Fuji, Gala, Tropic Sweet — which to choose? We’ve rounded up our favourite apple tree varieties in Australia to make your decision as easy as (apple) pie.
Apple vs. Crab Apple | Factors to Consider | Standard Apple Varieties | Dwarf Apple Varieties | Ornamental Apple Varieties | Companion Plants
All About Apples in Australia
Apples (Malus species) are great fruit trees to have in your backyard!
These deciduous trees typically don’t grow too tall — up to 10m in height for cultivated varieties and 3m for dwarf varieties. They usually have short trunks and wide canopies.
Young trees or saplings are best planted in winter, while the plant is dormant. That way, it can focus on establishing its roots.
Come spring, apple trees put out white flowers that gain pink hues later in the season. The flowers die off in summer, making way for denser foliage that provides shade for emerging fruit.
Be patient, though! Standard apple trees may take up to 8 years before fruiting, while dwarf varieties can start after 2–3 years.
In Australia, apple season is anywhere between summer (late December) to mid-winter (July). The best time to pick apples is from February to June.
Apple vs. Crab Apple Trees
Apples and crab apples come from the same Malus genus! They’re related but not quite the same trees.
Both apples and crab apples can produce edible fruits, although some crab apple varieties are strictly ornamental. The main differences between the two are the size and flavour of their fruits.
Crab apple trees produce small fruits (5cm or less) that start out green before turning red. Crab apples can be very sour when eaten raw, so they’re usually made into jellies and pickles.
Apple trees produce larger fruits that are at least 5cm in diameter. The fruits are typically bright red, but you can get apples with yellow-red or green skin.
Apples are much sweeter and can be eaten fresh. Many varieties are good for cooking and baking, too!
Factors to Consider When Choosing Apple Varieties
There are plenty of apple varieties available in Australia, so which one should you grow? There are some key considerations — namely pollination, chill hours, and growing conditions.
If you’re unsure, you can consult local professional gardeners or check with nearby plant nurseries and garden centres.
Pollination for fruits
Before growing an apple tree, you’ll need to know if there’s another one nearby! Otherwise, you’ll need to plant at least two.
Most apples are not self-pollinating, meaning they cannot produce fruit by themselves. They need another apple tree within a half-kilometre for cross-pollination — although the ideal distance is 150m or less.
If you do need to plant two trees, they don’t have to be the same size or variety! In fact, most trees benefit from cross-pollinating with a different variety of apple.
Don’t have space? Consider dwarf cultivars or even super dwarf cultivars that you can grow in pots.
You can also look for partially self-pollinating apple varieties. These can produce fruit on their own, though they’ll have higher yields with a pollination partner.
Chill hours and climate
To produce fruits, most apple varieties need an average of 700–1000 “chill hours,” or time spent below 8ºC but above –20ºC.
For warmer regions with tropical or subtropical climates, there are “low chill” varieties. These typically need 500 hours or fewer at low temps.
Growing conditions
Apple trees prefer well-draining soil and lots of sun! Depending on the variety, the soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral (between 6.0 and 7.3).
If you live in a hard water area, see if you can get your water tested. Minerals in hard water can affect soil nutrients, which then affect the tree’s growth.
Be sure to consider planting location and distance, too! For outdoor trees, you must space them appropriately: 1.5–2.5m for dwarf varieties and 4.0–7.5m for standard-sized trees.
For potted varieties, position them 1.5–3.0m apart whether indoors or outdoors.
Standard Apple Tree Varieties
One familiar apple in Australia is the Malus domestica, or the cooking apple! This tree produces medium-sized fruits with a crisp texture.
Over the decades, different Malus domestica varieties or cultivars have emerged, with different flavours or textures. Here are some of our favourite apple varieties to grow in Australia.
Anna
Size: Up to 3.5m
Colour: Greenish-yellow background with a red blush
Fruit season: December to February (summer)
Ideal partner: Dorsett Golden, Tropic Sweet
Anna (or Tropical Anna) is one of the few apple varieties that’s partially self-pollinating. That means it can produce fruit on its own, but you’ll get more fruit if it has a pollination partner.
Anna apple trees are low-chill, so they’re suitable even for subtropical climates. The standard tree can reach a height of 3.5m, but there are dwarf cultivars that are just 1.8m.
Malus domestica ‘Anna’ has crisp, creamy-white flesh and a sweet flavour that’s similar to Red Delicious. The fruits are best eaten fresh, but will keep well in refrigeration.
Grow your Anna trees in a sunny spot with some afternoon shade. They prefer rich, well-draining soil with a neutral pH and regular watering.
Fuji
Size: Up to 4m
Colour: Yellow background with pink and red flush
Fruit season: March to May (autumn)
Ideal partner: Bonza, Gala, Golden Delicious
Fuji apples are popular all over, thanks to their crisp and juicy texture. Malus domestica ‘Fuji’ is a large apple, and the sweet flavour makes it perfect for snacking or juices.
This is a medium-chill apple variety, needing between 600–700 hours (including the Red Fuji cultivars). In spring, it puts out white flowers that attract lots of beneficial insects.
Fuji trees grow best in cooler climates, with plenty of sunlight. They prefer rich, loamy soils with good drainage and regular watering.
These trees are more susceptible to cedar apple rust, a fungal disease that can harm foliage and fruit. It can occur if there is a red cedar within 1.5km of your apple tree.
On the other hand, Fuji trees have moderate resistance to apple scab and powdery mildew. Regular pruning in winter also helps prevent disease and promote healthy growth.
Gala
Size: Up to 4m
Colour: Yellow background with red stripes
Fruit season: February to March (late summer to early autumn)
Ideal partner: Fuji, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith
If you want ripe apples with aromatic flesh and a mild, sweet flavour — go for Gala apples! These are pretty popular at supermarkets, but can be grown right at home.
A Gala apple has crunchy flesh that’s perfect for snacking. It’s also a good cooking apple and is commonly used in pies, sauces, and tarts.
Plant your Malus domestica ‘Gala’ in full sun and free-draining soil. It thrives best with regular pruning to maintain shape and improve air circulation.
If you want a smaller tree, look for a Gala apple grafted onto semi-dwarfing rootstock. These cultivars typically reach 2–3m in height.
Golden Delicious
Size: Up to 4m
Colour: Greenish-yellow skin
Fruit season: February to March (late summer to early autumn)
Ideal partner: Fuji, Granny Smith, Red Delicious
Golden Delicious apples live up to their name, with greenish-gold skin and creamy yellow flesh. And yes, they’re delicious too!
This variety gives you a very juicy apple with a rich flavour, though it can turn milder in warm climates. Golden Delicious is excellent for making apple butter, pastries, and sauces.
To get the best flavour, make sure the fruit ripens on the tree — otherwise, the flesh tastes slightly acidic.
Golden Delicious is a medium-chill apple variety, and it’s a fairly productive tree. It grows best in full sun and is susceptible to mildew.
Granny Smith
Size: Up to 5m
Colour: Light green skin
Fruit season: April to May (mid to late autumn)
Ideal partner: Bonza, Fuji, Orange Pippin
This is another hugely popular apple variety: Granny Smith!
These green apples are some of the best for cooking and baking, but must be picked when under-ripe. For eating fresh, wait until the fruit ripens on the tree before harvesting.
Granny Smith apples have crisp, white flesh and a slightly tart flavour. In mid-spring, the trees have attractive white flowers.
Malus domestica ‘Granny Smith’ has a pretty robust growth habit, so it needs regular pruning to maintain a good size and shape. Plant it in a sunny spot with well-draining soil.
Pink Lady (Cripps Pink)
Size: Up to 5m
Colour: Yellow background with a pink blush
Fruit season: Late April to May (mid to late autumn)
Ideal partner: Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith
Pink Lady is actually a brand name, not a specific apple variety! The original cultivar is called Cripps Pink, a cross-breed of Golden Delicious and Lady Williams created by John Cripps.
Other cultivars have been bred from Cripps Pink trees, but only the very best of their fruits get the Pink Lady label.
Pink Lady is an “early” apple for flowering but “late” for harvesting, needing 200 days to ripen on the tree. That harvest time is one of many quality specs that fruits must meet to earn the iconic name.
Cripps Pink fruits have pale yellow, firm flesh and an acidic-sweet flavour. The trees do best in warmer climates and have a low chill requirement.
FYI — thanks to the tartness, Pink Lady apples are great for making cider!
Red Delicious
Size: Up to 5m
Colour: Dark red skin
Fruit season: February to March (late summer to early autumn)
Ideal partner: Gala, Cripps Pink, Orange Pippin
The dark red skin gives this attractive apple its name! Red Delicious has firm flesh and an aromatic flavour — but an unfortunately short shelf life.
During peak ripeness, Red Delicious is perfectly crisp and juicy, with a mild sweetness. However, after a short time, the fruits lose their texture and taste (even with refrigeration).
That’s all the more reason to grow a Red Delicious tree in your yard, though. You’ll get those glossy red apples when they’re at their best!
Red Delicious does best in temperate climates, with plenty of sun and neutral pH soil. It’s a productive fruit tree, but has better yields if you have 2 other apple varieties nearby.
Dwarf Apple Tree Varieties
Dwarf and super dwarf apple trees are perfect for small gardens or containers!
These varieties are often grafted onto dwarf rootstock or a dwarf-sized parent plant. That lets them keep a small, compact shape even when mature.
Bonza
Size: Up to 2m
Colour: Cream background with red blush
Fruit season: March to April (autumn)
Ideal partner: Granny Smith, Jonathan, Delicious
Bonza is a medium-sized apple with a sweet flavour and firm white flesh. The fruits are great for cut fruits and salads since the flesh doesn’t discolour easily.
It’s believed that Bonza apples originate from New South Wales, from a chance seedling in Batlow — a place well-known for apples! Since it comes from a high-altitude area, it has high chill requirements.
Grow your Bonza apple trees in rich, well-draining soil and an open, sunny spot. Winter pruning will encourage branching, which can lead to higher yields.
Malus domestica ‘Bonza’ is susceptible to powdery mildew, but fairly resistant to scab and aphids.
Dwarf Dorsett Golden
Size: Up to 2m
Colour: Yellow background with pink blush
Fruit season: January to March (summer to early autumn)
Ideal partner: Tropical Anna, Tropic Sweet
Dorsett Golden (or Golden Dorsett) is a low-chill apple variety, needing 300 hours or less of cold temperatures. This makes it a good apple variety for subtropical and warm temperate climates.
These medium-sized apples have a crisp texture and golden skin. Their flavour is mostly sweet with a slight tartness, perfect for eating fresh or cooking.
These dwarf apples grow best in soils with good drainage and a neutral pH. If grown in pots, position them somewhere they get plenty of sun.
Dorsett Golden matures early as a dwarf tree, usually producing fruits after 2–3 years.
Dwarf Tropic Sweet
Size: Up to 2m
Colour: Light green with a red blush
Fruit season: January to February (summer)
Ideal partner: Golden Dorsett, Tropical Anna
This is another apple variety to grow in warmer climates. Tropic Sweet has low-chill needs — around 250–300 hours.
The apples are crunchy and very sweet, with minimal acidity. Plus, dwarf cultivars of Tropic Sweet can begin fruiting within a year of planting!
In subtropical and tropical regions, you may even get fruits starting November to December.
Grow a dwarf Tropic Sweet tree in neutral soil with good drainage. Whether potted or outdoors, make sure it gets plenty of sun.
Ornamental Apple Tree Varieties
Most ornamental apple trees will be crab apples! They produce too-small or inedible fruits but have stunning flowers in season.
Bechtel’s crab apple
Size: Up to 6m
Flower season: Late spring
This is one of the most popular ornamental crab apples, and for good reason! Malus ioensis ‘Plena’, or Bechtel’s crab apple is grown for its gorgeous floral display in late spring.
Malus ‘Plena’ is unique due to its “double flowers” — it has deep pink buds that open to reveal pale pink inner petals. Besides the visual appeal, the blooms have a mild, pleasant fragrance.
Bechtel’s crab apple also has attractive foliage! The leaves have serrated edges, and go from deep green in summer to bronze and red in autumn.
This crab apple variety prefers rich, well-drained soils that are slightly acidic. Grow it in full sun to encourage lush flowers.
Japanese crab apple
Size: Up to 8m
Flower season: Spring
The Japanese crap apple (Malus floribunda) makes a great feature tree, even in a small garden! In spring, you’ll get masses of white and pink flowers — similar to the iconic Japanese sakura.
If you really want to make a statement, you can plant Japanese crab apples in a group or along an avenue. Grown together, you get a breathtaking display when all the trees are in bloom.
Come autumn, the small leaves of Malus floribunda turn yellow and red, before dropping for the winter.
Japanese crab apples prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil, and cannot tolerate high pH conditions. They’re more suitable for cooler climates and partially shaded spots.
Malus ‘Gorgeous’
Size: Up to 3m
Flower season: Mid-spring
The name says it all — Malus ‘Gorgeous’ (Malus x atrosanguinea) is a gorgeous tree year-round!
In spring, the tree puts out clusters of small pink buds that open up into white flowers. These give way to attractive, ornamental fruits that emerge in summer and can last until early winter.
For the foliage, you’ll have dark green leaves that turn gold and crimson in autumn.
Malus ‘Gorgeous’ is a hardy tree that tolerates most conditions, but grows best in cool climates and well-drained soil. It has notable resistance to apple scab and powdery mildew.
Companion Plants for Apple Trees
Yep — apple trees benefit from companion planting! This is the process of planting two or more plants alongside each other for beneficial effects.
Chives can help prevent apple scab and deter aphids. They’re best planted in pots or raised garden beds, since these herbs spread quickly.
Dill, lemongrass, and marigolds can help attract beneficial insects and keep away pests.
However, avoid planting potatoes and tomatoes near apple trees since they share common diseases, which can spread to the trees and fruits.
More to Know: FAQs About Apple Trees
Let’s dig into some common questions people have about choosing apple varieties.
What is the best apple variety in Australia?
There’s no real “best” variety because it all depends on personal taste! But some of the most popular apple varieties in Australia include Gala, Granny Smith, and Pink Lady.
What is the easiest apple tree to grow?
In general, dwarf apple varieties are easier to manage and care for due to their size.
Some lower-maintenance recommendations from our gardeners include Anna (partially self-pollinating) and Fuji (good adaptability and disease resistance).
Which apple tree is best for the backyard?
This will depend on the size of your yard!
For small backyards, go for dwarf apple varieties since they have compact growth habits. But if you have the space, go for the variety that’s best for your local climate and growing conditions.
How can I identify an apple variety?
It’s easiest to identify apple trees when the fruits are ripe — look at the colour, size, and shape.
You can also cross-reference the fruiting time with the current season, as different apple varieties ripen at different times. For example, Tropic Sweet has fruits in summer, but Anna has them in autumn.
