How to Grow Purple Pillar Apple
Wikimedia Commons
Purple Pillar Apple
Malus domestica 'Purple Pillar'
treePurple Pillar is a columnar apple tree with a narrow, upright growth habit, reaching 10-12 feet tall but only 2-3 feet wide. It produces small to medium red apples with purple-red skin and white flesh with a sweet-tart flavor. The tree is ornamental year-round with dark purple foliage and is ideal for small spaces, containers, or espalier.
When should you plant Purple Pillar Apple in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Purple Pillar Apple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Purple Pillar Apple
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Purple Pillar Apple
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Purple Pillar Apple dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-7, with best results in zones 5-6
Sign up free to see if Purple Pillar Apple grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Purple Pillar Apple timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
Year 1-2Newly planted tree with small shoots and developing root system
Water regularly to establish roots. Stake for support in first 1-2 years. Avoid heavy pruning. Mulch around base.
Vegetative Growth
Year 2-3Tree develops columnar form with dense, upright branches. Dark purple foliage emerges in spring.
Prune side branches to 3-4 inches to maintain narrow habit. Remove competing central leaders. Apply light fertilizer in spring.
First Flowering
3-4 weeks in springSmall white-pink flowers bloom in mid-spring on spur growth along the main stem
Thin flowers to allow adequate fruit development. Do not overload young tree with fruit. Ensure pollinator activity.
Fruiting
3-4 months (June-September depending on zone)Small to medium apples develop along the vertical axis, ripening to deep red-purple color
Thin fruit to 1 every 6 inches for quality. Water consistently during fruit development. Monitor for pests.
Dormancy
November-MarchTree loses leaves in fall; purple foliage turns darker before dropping. Buds set for next season.
Minimal care needed. Prune in late winter before bud break. Can be safely transplanted while dormant.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Hang red sticky traps in early summer. Remove fallen fruit promptly. Apply spinosad if needed.
-
Use pheromone traps. Wrap fruit clusters with bags. Apply neem oil or spinosad at petal fall.
-
Ensure good air circulation with proper pruning. Spray sulfur or neem oil in early season. Avoid overhead watering.
-
Prune affected branches 12 inches below damage into healthy wood. Sterilize tools between cuts. Avoid excessive nitrogen.
-
Hand-pick affected fruit. Spray insecticidal soap in early season. Encourage natural predators.
Uses
Fresh eating and desserts
CulinaryPurple Pillar apples have a crisp, white flesh with sweet-tart flavor suitable for eating fresh, in salads, or baked into pies and desserts. The striking purple skin makes them attractive in fruit displays and presentations. [source]
Juice and cider
CulinaryThe balanced sugar and acid content makes these apples suitable for juice production and cider making, yielding a distinctive purple-tinted beverage. [source]
Ornamental landscaping
HouseholdThe columnar form, dark purple foliage, and attractive flowers make Purple Pillar ideal for ornamental use in small gardens, containers, borders, and espalier training on walls and fences. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeSpring flowers attract bees and other pollinators essential for fruit production and garden ecosystem health. The fruit can also feed birds and wildlife. [source]
Nutritional benefits
MedicinalLike all apples, Purple Pillar contains fiber, vitamin C, and polyphenol antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins responsible for the purple pigmentation, which have potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest in late August to September when skin develops deep red-purple color and fruit yields slightly to gentle pressure. Apples do not ripen much after picking, so harvest when fully mature. Store in cool conditions (32-40°F) for 2-3 months. May be biennial bearer, so thin fruit aggressively in heavy years.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Purple Pillar was developed by ornamental fruit breeding programs specifically for its narrow columnar shape, making it possible to grow apple trees in containers or small urban gardens.
- 🌱 The deep purple foliage is retained throughout the growing season, providing ornamental interest even before and after the fruit-bearing period.
- 🌱 Despite its narrow form, Purple Pillar can produce 40-60 apples per tree at maturity, making it surprisingly productive for its size.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Purple Pillar Apple planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Purple Pillar Apple seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Purple Pillar Apple timeline →