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.
-
EAN code9000011747
- Brand
- AspectFull Sun
- Pot size12 Litre
- Flowering PeriodSpring
- Tree Height32ft-40ft
- Harvesting MonthsSeptember to November
Collect your Order from one of our sites!
Order and pay online and select the day you would like to collect your order from one of our four sites.
Local deliveries available, please order and pay online for delivery within 5 working days. See our terms & conditions.