Not too long ago, finding a good variety of columnar apple trees was a bit of a scavenger hunt. But things have changed! Nowadays, the selection is huge, ranging from juicy, deep reds to crisp, tart greens. If you’re looking to add one of these space-savers to your garden, here’s the lowdown on what’s out there.
Don’t get fooled: Is it a true columnar apple?
When you’re browsing your local garden center or big-box store, you’ve got to be a little bit of a detective. “Columnar” is sometimes used loosely in marketing. To make sure you’re getting the real deal and not just a standard tree that’s been pruned to look slim, check the tag carefully. You want a tree that is genetically programmed to stay narrow, not one that requires constant hacking to keep its shape.
Keep an eye out for these specific “true columnar” traits:
- It doesn’t grow a wide, spreading canopy.
- It has a naturally upright, vertical growth habit.
- It produces very few side branches.
- It tops out at a maximum height of about 13 feet (4 meters).
- It requires very little pruning to maintain its shape.
- The blossoms and fruit grow very close to the main trunk.
If you accidentally buy a standard tree that was simply “trained” into a column, it’ll eventually try to revert to its natural shape. Before you know it, it’ll be sending out long side branches and taking over your patio!
Top picks for columnar apple varieties
Here are some of the most popular varieties, including how tall they get and when you can expect to start snacking. Because they stay slim and max out around 13 feet, they are perfect for large pots. This means you can harvest homegrown apples even if you only have a small balcony or terrace!
- Rondo: Height: 10–13 ft / Harvest: September to November
- Sonate: Height: 10–13 ft / Harvest: September to November
- Red River: Height: 10–13 ft / Harvest: September to October
- Goldbäckchen: Height: 10 ft / Harvest: October
- Starcats: Height: 10–13 ft / Harvest: September to December
- Jarle: Height: 10–13 ft / Harvest: September to November
- Goldcats: Height: 10–13 ft / Harvest: September
- Jucunda: Height: 10–13 ft / Harvest: October
