This is a cooking or baking apple, which keeps its shape well in pies and other baked goods. It can be grown in warmer climates. The mature size of the tree depends on the version you choose, dwarf, semi-dwarf, or standard. It is self-pollinating, but other similar blooming varieties nearby will increase fruit production. Potential pollinators would be Fuji, Braeburn, or a crabapple. The Rome or Rome Beauty apple is one of the fewer late-blooming varieties. Blooming begins in late May, making it a good tree for areas with late and deep spring freezes. It is grown in some warmer zones, than those listed, in other parts of the world due to its tolerance for a shorter winter. Soil type needed is average to loamy but it responds to enriched soil with better production. Apple trees do best with a slightly acidic soil pH in the range of 5.0 to 6.8. Fruit production will respond best to full sun and air movement around the tree and through its branches. It is not recommended to place the tree near taller trees or structures that would shade it for a few hours each day. In summary, air movement, sunlight, and good soil and drainage all lead to a healthy, productive tree. Its height and width vary from 8-10 feet to 12-15 feet or near standard size about 20 feet. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: See NC disease and pest management to the left. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common apple and crab apple diseases and other plant problems. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for " Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants " a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Malus domestica .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
6-feet-12 feet; 12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf size
1-3 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Green simple alternate leaves
Flower color
White
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The white flower cluster blooms in late season, about late May.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Pome
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit detail
The apple ripens in late September and can be stored for a quite long time if kept near 40F degrees.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
USA
Wildlife value
Pollinators during bloom time.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Hummingbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Pome
Edibility
The fruit is round, all red thick skin, sweet and smooth when freshly picked. It tastes mealy over time. It is mostly used for baking. Tart enough for making pies. It will keep its shape, making it a good choice when sautéed or baked. Ripens in late September and can be stored in very cool temps for a quite long time.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Meadow; Naturalized Area
Landscape theme
Edible Garden
Design feature
Small groups
Garden tags
#deciduous #white flowers #full sun tolerant #loamy soils tolerant #native fruit tree