Overwintering guide
How to overwinter malus 'royalty'
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills malus 'royalty' in winter
Cutting malus 'royalty' hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More malus 'royalty' care
Overwintering malus 'royalty' — FAQ
Does malus 'royalty' need to come indoors for winter?
Malus 'Royalty' is hardy to roughly USDA zone 4 — winter lows around -34°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Malus 'Royalty' is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move malus 'royalty' for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water malus 'royalty' in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills malus 'royalty' over winter?
Cutting malus 'royalty' hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.