Apple 'D'Arcy Spice' Malus domestica 'D'Arcy Spice' (D)
ABOUT
'D'Arcy Spice' is a light-cropping, late-season, dessert apple requiring lots of autumn sunshine to develop its sweet, spicy flavour. It is in pollination group 4, partially tip-bearing and erratic to crop. The fruit is green, flushed with red, sometimes purple, and with extensive, fine russetting
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae
Synonyms
D'Arcy Spice, D'Arcy Spice Apple
Common names
Malus domestica 'D'Arcy Spice'.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
12-15 feet (3.7-4.6 meters)
Spread
10-14 feet (3-4.3 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
5-8
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Culinary Uses: The apples from D'Arcy Spice trees are known for their aromatic flavor, making them excellent for cooking, baking, and fresh eating.
- Pollinator Attraction: The blossoms provide nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinating insects, supporting local biodiversity.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The blossoms in spring offer ornamental value with their showy flowers, enhancing the beauty of gardens and landscapes.
- Shade and Shelter: Once mature, the tree provides shade and can serve as a windbreak, improving the microclimate of a garden or orchard.
- Wildlife Habitat: The tree can serve as a habitat for various bird species that feed on insects and fruit, fostering a healthy ecosystem.
- Cultural Significance: This variety has historical value as a traditional English apple, allowing gardeners to cultivate a piece of horticultural heritage.
- Economic Value: The fruit can be sold at markets or used in apple-derived products, offering economic benefits for growers.
- Educational Opportunities: Gardening with D'Arcy Spice trees can teach about plant growth cycles, pruning techniques, and other horticultural practices.
- Community Engagement: Apple picking and harvest festivals can bring together communities for social events centered around the tree.
Medical Properties- Antioxidant activity: Apples contain various antioxidants like vitamin C and polyphenols, which may help in reducing oxidative stress.
- Digestive health: The fibers in apples, including pectin, can support digestive function and promote gut health.
- Cardiovascular support: Polyphenols in apples have been studied for their potential to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases by maintaining blood vessel health.
- Blood sugar regulation: The fiber in apples can slow the absorption of sugar, helping to regulate blood sugar levels.
- Weight management: Apples are low in calories and high in fiber, which can contribute to satiety and aid in weight management.
- Anti-inflammatory properties: Certain compounds in apples might have anti-inflammatory effects.
- Dental care: Chewing apples can stimulate saliva production, which reduces tooth decay by lowering bacteria levels.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- As a natural dye: The skin of the apple can be used in the process of dyeing fabric, giving it a subtle yellow or brown hue depending on the mordant used.
- In artwork: Apple slices from D'Arcy Spice can be dried and used in crafting, such as in creating decorative wreaths or collages.
- Educational tools: Apples can be used to teach children about the life cycle of plants, the importance of bees in pollination, and encourage healthy eating habits.
- Cooking classes: The unique flavor of D'Arcy Spice apples can be highlighted in cooking and baking classes for specialty dishes or desserts.
- Photography: The distinct appearance of the ripe apples can be used as subjects in still life photography or as part of a food styling set.
- Botanical studies: These apples can be used as a subject for studies in genetic variation or cross-pollination within the Malus genus.
- Sound effects: Rolling or cutting the apples can be used to create sound effects for film or theater productions.
- Woodworking: The wood from the apple tree can be utilized to create small woodworking projects, like handles or decorative carvings.
- Apple tree grafting: The tree can be used as rootstock or scion in the process of apple tree grafting to develop new varieties or strengthen others.
- Alcohol production: The apples can be fermented to create ciders and other apple-based alcoholic beverages, known for their unique flavor profile.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe apple tree is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe apple tree is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love and Temptation: As an apple variety, Malus domestica 'D'Arcy Spice' carries the classic symbolism of apples representing love and temptation, stemming from various historical and mythological tales including the story of Adam and Eve in the Christian tradition.
- Knowledge and Wisdom: Apples are often associated with knowledge, inspired by their role in the myth of the Garden of Eden, and in Greek mythology where they are connected to the goddess of wisdom and the golden apples of the Hesperides.
- Fertility and Abundance: Historically, apples have been seen as a symbol of fertility and abundance, likely due to their prolific nature and the bounty of fruits they provide during the harvest season.
- Festivity and Celebration: 'D'Arcy Spice' apples are harvested in late autumn, around the time of traditional celebrations such as harvest festivals and Thanksgiving, thus they come to symbolize festivity and the celebration of the harvest's end.
- Immortality and Youth: In various cultures, the apple is a symbol of immortality and youth, perhaps most famously in Norse mythology where apples are said to keep the gods young.
- Peace and Harmony: Offering an apple is sometimes seen as a gesture of peace, echoing the story of the golden apple of discord in Greek mythology which conversely caused strife when inscribed "to the fairest one" and thrown amongst the goddesses.
WaterThe apple tree, commonly known as 'D'Arcy Spice', requires deep, infrequent watering to encourage a strong root system. Aim to water young trees once a week with about 1-2 gallons per inch of trunk diameter, tapering off as the tree matures. Established trees typically need watering every two weeks during dry spells, with increased frequency if there are signs of stress such as wilted leaves. It is important to avoid over-watering, which can lead to root rot.
LightApple trees, including the 'D'Arcy Spice' variety, thrive best in a location that receives full sunlight, which means at least six hours of direct uninterrupted sun per day. This ensures optimal growth and fruit production. Planting the apple tree in a south-facing spot would be ideal to maximize exposure to sunlight, especially in the Northern Hemisphere.
TemperatureFor 'D'Arcy Spice' apple trees, the best temperature range for growth is between 60°F and 75°F during the growing season. These trees can handle winter temperatures down to around -20°F once established but may suffer if temperatures dip lower. Proper winter chill is crucial for fruit set, so temperate climates with cold winters and mild summers are ideal.
PruningPruning is essential for the health and productivity of 'D'Arcy Spice' apple trees. Prune annually in late winter while the tree is still dormant to remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches and to shape the tree for better sunlight exposure and air circulation. This can improve fruit size and quality and reduce the risk of pests and diseases.
CleaningAs needed
SoilApple trees like 'D'Arcy Spice' thrive in well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A good soil mix contains one part loam, one part peat moss, and one part sand to ensure proper drainage and aeration. Organic compost can be added to enrich the soil with nutrients.
Repotting'D'Arcy Spice' apple trees, when grown in containers, should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when they become root-bound. It's best to repot in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
Humidity & MistingApple trees, including 'D'Arcy Spice,' prefer outdoor conditions and do well in average ambient humidity. They don't require specific humidity levels and can tolerate the natural variations of outdoor environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Difficult indoors; requires light, pollination.
Outdoor
Plant in sun, well-draining soil, space well.
Hardiness zone
5-8 USDA
Life cycleThe life of an apple tree (Malus domestica 'D'Arcy Spice') begins with germination, where the seed sprouts and establishes a root system as a seedling. The tree then enters a vegetative growth phase, developing a trunk, branches, and leaves. After a few years, typically between 3 to 5, the tree reaches maturity and begins to flower annually, producing blossoms that are pollinated by bees and other insects. Following pollination, the flowers develop into fruits, with the 'D'Arcy Spice' variety yielding apples that are often harvested in the late autumn. As a deciduous tree, it undergoes a period of dormancy in the winter, where it loses its leaves and conserves energy. The cycle repeats with new growth in the spring, accompanied by flowering and fruiting in subsequent years.
PropogationPropogation time
Late Winter-Early Spring
Propogation: The 'D'Arcy Spice' apple, a cultivar of Malus domestica, is typically propagated by grafting, which is the most popular method for this variety. Grafting usually occurs in late winter to early spring, just before the new growth starts. A small piece of a 'D'Arcy Spice' apple tree, known as a scion, which includes a bud, is joined onto a rootstock, which is a tree chosen for its strong root system. The scion is carefully cut at an angle to match a similar cut on the rootstock, and the two are bound together with grafting tape or wax until they heal and grow as one. This process ensures that the new tree will bear the same variety of apples as the 'D'Arcy Spice' and retains the characteristics of the cultivar.
