Crab Apple ‘Golden Hornet’

Pink buds open to reveal pretty white cup shaped blossom in April and May, followed by spectacular crops of bright golden-yellow fruits that make an eye-catching autumn display and hold on the tree well into winter. Crab Apple ‘Golden Hornet’ makes an attractive and productive specimen tree for smaller gardens, with a long season of interest. Crab apple fruits can be harvested to make delicious crab apple jelly. Any unpicked fruits will soften after a few frosts to create a sumptuous food source for wild birds. Crab apples are self fertile and if planted near orchard apple trees make excellent pollinators.

• Apple rootstocks:
• M27 – Extreme dwarf reaching a mature height of up to 1.5m (5′)
• M9/ Pajam 9/ P22/ P9 – Dwarf reaching a mature height of up to 2.5m (8′)
• M26 – Dwarf reaching a mature height of 2.5-3m (8-10′)
• M6/ M7 – Semi dwarf reaching a mature height of up to 3m (10′)
• MM106 – Semi dwarf reaching a mature height of up to 4m (13′)
• MM111 – Vigorous reaching a mature height of 4m (13′) to 4.5m (15′)

This variety is self-fertile and does not require a pollination partner.

Estimated time to cropping once planted: 2 years.
Estimated time to best yields: 5 years.

Useful links:

How to grow fruit trees Fruit rootstock guide

Culinary note: Some parts of these flowers are edible. For more details about edible flowers click here.

Generally crab apples are too tart to eat raw, but their apple flavour becomes intense when cooked. Cab apples have high pectin content great for jam and jellies, and are a perfect ingredient for chutneys.

Plant height and spread is seasonal therefore we list by pot size rather than a defined plant size. The height and spread of the plant delivered will vary depending on the season, meaning arrival images are an indication only.