Apple (Malus) Red Devil Half Standard MM106

Bred by Hugh Ermen in Kent from 'Discovery' and named after the famous parachute display team, 'Red Devil' is a striking apple with scarlet skin, pink-stained flesh, and even pink juice — a lovely talking point as much as an eating apple. Trained as a half standard on the semi-vigorous MM106 rootstock, it's grown with a clear stem of around 1.2–1.5m before branching begins, giving a traditional, elegant orchard tree that eventually reaches around 4–5m in height and spread.

Pink and white blossom appears in spring, followed by sweet, rounded, bright red fruit with distinctive red-stained flesh and a hint of strawberry in the flavour. Harvest from September into October, though the fruit is best enjoyed fresh, keeping for only a couple of weeks.

'Red Devil' is self-fertile, so it will crop well alone — a real plus for a single specimen tree — though a pollination partner in the same period (Group 3) can still improve yields. The clear stem makes half standards ideal for underplanting or grazing animals to graze beneath once established, suiting informal orchards, larger lawns, or anywhere a more traditional tree shape is wanted. Staking is recommended for the first few years while the tree establishes, and MM106 means it will take a little longer to come into fruit than a bush form on more dwarfing rootstocks — usually 4–5 years.

Plant in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil, and prune each winter to maintain an open, productive shape. As with all apple varieties, the pips contain small amounts of naturally occurring toxins, so they're best removed if the fruit is being used for cooking with children in mind.

Each tree is hand-selected before dispatch. Available from Pengelly Garden Centre.