Malus - Golden Hornet - Crab Apple

This well-known crab apple is a popular choice for gardens where its neat tapering shape and huge crops of conspicuous yellow fruits have made it a favourite. It is also widely planted among fruiting apple trees because its lavish display of white flowers is a prolific source of pollen for fertilising the other trees. Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun, although some shade is tolerated. Purple-leaved forms of Malus colour best in full sun. It is Self Fertile.

Skill Level: Beginner
Exposure: Full sun, Partial shade
Hardiness: Hardy
Soil type: Clay/heavy, Acidic, Chalky/alkaline, Sandy, Well-drained/light

Formerly known simply as M. 'Golden Hornet', this well-known crab apple is a popular choice for gardens where its neat tapering shape and huge crops of conspicuous yellow fruits have made it a favourite. It is also widely planted among fruiting apple trees because its lavish display of white flowers is a prolific source of pollen for fertilising the other trees. One of the best of all crabs, its branches bend under the weight of fruit, which can be used for culinary purposes or may be left on to last all autumn and part of the winter too.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given it their prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

One of the best of all crabs, its branches bend under the weight of fruit, which can be used for culinary purposes or may be left on to last all autumn and part of the winter too.

Apples require cross-pollination between individuals by insects (typically bees, which freely visit the flowers for both nectar and pollen); all are self-sterile, and self-pollination is impossible making pollinating insects essential. The honeybee is the most effective pollinator of apples. Malus species, including domestic apples, hybridise freely.