Malus Golden Hornet

Malus Golden Hornet - Crab Apple

Why Buy Me?

• Produce crops of crab apples
• Use also as an ornamental tree

Growing Conditions

Light:
Full sun to light shade. Flowers and fruit best in full sun. Tolerates partial shade but may produce fewer blossoms and fruits.

Soil:
Moist, well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Prefers loamy soil but is adaptable to clay or sandy soils with neutral to slightly acidic pH. Avoid waterlogged or very dry sites.

Exposure:
Performs well in open, sunny positions. Hardy, tolerant of frost and urban pollution. Suitable for sheltered or moderately exposed sites.

Drought Tolerance:
Moderate. Young trees need regular watering to establish. Mature trees are reasonably drought-tolerant but fruit and flowering may diminish in prolonged dry spells.

Cultivation & Care

Planting Time:
Plant in autumn or early spring when the soil is moist and workable. Ensure the site has good drainage and room for canopy development.

Spacing:
Allow 4–6 metres (13–20 feet) between trees. Grows to a mature height of 5–7 metres (16–23 feet) with a broadly conical or rounded crown and similar spread.

Watering & Fertilization:
Water regularly during the first 2–3 years. Mature trees require minimal supplemental watering. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring or mulch with compost.

Mulching & Pruning:
Mulch annually in spring to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Light formative pruning encourages a strong, balanced shape.

Propagation:
Typically propagated by grafting onto rootstocks to control size and growth habit. Not grown from seed to maintain cultivar characteristics.

Seasonal Interest

Spring:
Masses of fragrant, pale pink buds open to white blossom in mid- to late spring. Highly ornamental and attracts pollinators. One of the best crab apples for blossom quality.

Summer:
Dark green foliage creates a neat, leafy canopy. Fruit begins forming after flowering and starts to ripen by late summer.

Autumn:
Spectacular golden-yellow crab apples persist in dense clusters, providing colour and interest through late autumn and often into winter.

Winter:
Fruit often remains on the branches into winter, providing visual interest and food for birds. Bare branches form a neat, architectural structure.

Wildlife & Garden Use

Wildlife:
Excellent wildlife value. Flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Fruits provide a late food source for birds like blackbirds and thrushes. Also serves as a good pollinator for other apple varieties.

Garden Use:
Ideal for small to medium gardens, orchards, wildlife-friendly plantings, or as a specimen tree. Suitable for cottage, formal, or naturalistic garden styles. Works well in lawns or mixed borders.

Companion Plants:
Underplant with spring bulbs (e.g., Narcissus, Crocus, Muscari), ornamental grasses, Geraniums, or shade-tolerant perennials like Hellebores. Pairs well with other flowering trees or shrubs like Amelanchier, Cornus, and Prunus.