Golden Hornet Crab Apple Ornamental Tree (Malus 'Golden Hornet')

Golden Hornet Crab Apple Ornamental Tree Description

The Golden Hornet Crab Apple is a charming deciduous ornamental tree, celebrated for its prolific display of yellow crab apples that provide colour from autumn through winter. Compact and hardy, it reaches a mature height of approximately 5–7 metres (16–23 feet), making it ideal for smaller gardens or as a feature tree in larger landscapes. Golden Hornet is known for its seasonal interest, from spring blossoms to vibrant autumnal fruit, and is popular for both decorative and wildlife-supporting purposes.

In spring, Golden Hornet bursts into bloom with masses of small, white to pale pink flowers. These blossoms attract pollinators such as bees, enhancing local biodiversity. It's foliage emerges as fresh green leaves, which turn shades of yellow in autumn before they fall.

The most striking feature of Golden Hornet is its abundance of small, golden-yellow crab apples that appear in late summer and persist into winter. These decorative fruits remain on the branches long after the leaves have dropped, creating a vibrant and eye-catching display that brings warmth to the winter landscape. The fruit can be used for culinary purposes, such as making jellies, or left for birds to enjoy.

Pruning Advice

Golden Hornet requires minimal pruning, as it naturally develops a pleasing, rounded form. Prune in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins, to remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. This will improve airflow within the canopy and maintain the tree’s health and shape.

In early summer, a light trim of new shoots can help keep a tidy form, particularly in smaller gardens or when used in more formal designs. Avoid heavy pruning, as this may reduce the number of flowers and fruit in the following year. Thinning out the fruit clusters is not generally necessary, but it can be done to improve the appearance and prevent branches from becoming too heavy.

Further Information

Year-Round Ornamental Value: With its spring blossoms, striking golden fruit in autumn, and bare, fruit-laden branches in winter, Golden Hornet provides seasonal interest throughout the year.

Wildlife Support: The flowers attract pollinators, and the fruit serves as a valuable food source for birds during the winter months.

Edible Crab Apples: The fruit, while tart, can be harvested for preserves or jellies, adding a culinary element to its benefits.

Low Maintenance: This variety is relatively resistant to common crab apple diseases, such as scab and mildew, making it an easy-care option.

Compact Size: With its moderate growth and tidy form, Golden Hornet is perfect for smaller gardens, urban environments, or even as part of mixed planting schemes.

Delivery & Returns

Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:

* Standard Sized Boxes (Bare root up to 1.2m tall & pots up to 7.5L) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £9.98 charge.

* Tall Sized Boxes (Bare roots 1.2m & over) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £24.99 charge.

* Pallets (Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees etc | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £350 | or £82 charge.

* Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £1500 | or £450 charge.