Description
Blushing Delight™ is part of the Urban Apple® columnar series—developed to bring real apple harvests into spaces where traditional trees simply won’t fit. Originating from European columnar apple breeding work associated with Dr. Jaroslav Tupy, this variety grows as a narrow, upright column, fruiting on short spurs along the main stem.
The result is a striking, space-efficient tree that produces full-sized apples with a green-yellow base and a bright red blush. The flavor is sweet and juicy, well-suited to fresh eating, and the mid-season harvest brings color and reward without waiting until late fall.
Blushing Delight™ shines where space matters most. Whether planted in the ground, lined along a walkway, or grown in a large container, it offers a uniquely satisfying way to grow apples in urban and small-yard settings.
Overview
- True columnar apple with fruit borne on spurs along the main leader
- Extremely narrow growth habit suited to tight spaces
- Sweet, juicy apples with attractive red blush
- Mid-season ripening, typically mid-September
- Requires a compatible apple pollination partner
Growing Details
Latin Name: Malus domestica ’Blushing Delight™’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Chill Requirement: Estimated ~700 hours
Hardiness: USDA Zone 4–9
Rootstock: M-26 (dwarfing)
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size at Maturity: Typically 8–10 ft tall and about 2–3 ft wide; height can be managed with pruning
Bloom Time: Mid-season
Flowering Group: Group 3 (mid-season)
Ripening Time: Mid-season; typically mid-September (varies by region)
Pollination: Pollination required; plant a compatible apple variety within 20–30 feet
Pests & Diseases: Standard apple pest and disease considerations; good airflow and routine care are important
Yield: Reliable producer once established
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Blushing Delight™ delivers something most apple trees can’t—real harvests from an exceptionally narrow footprint. Its columnar form makes it especially rewarding in spaces where traditional trees feel impractical.
- Regional Insight: Performs well across a wide range of temperate regions, including the Pacific Northwest, where moderate summers and fall conditions support good fruit finish and flavor.
- Allow fruit to fully mature on the tree for best sweetness and color development.
- Well suited to in-ground plantings, raised beds, and large containers.
- Explore more apples in our collection: Apple Trees
