Malus x zumi 'Golden Hornet'
As the autumn draws in, fruits and seeds ripen with an eclectic range of colours and shapes. A great tree for the smaller garden with fantastic fruits and autumn colour is the Malus or the crab apple. A good selection is Malus x zumi ‘Golden Hornet’ which bears huge crops of bright yellow fruits that last on the tree well into autumn and winter.
At RHS Garden Hyde Hall this crab apple can be found in the Gold Garden in the Hilltop area where it complements the other rich yellows and golds through these borders.
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Crab apple
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Height & spread
- 10m (30ft) high by 8m (25ft) wide
- Form
- Deciduous tree
- Soil
- Well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil
- Aspect
- Full sun or semi-shade
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
Malus
This genus contains about 35 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, found in woodlands and thickets throughout northern temperate regions.
They are easily grown, small- to medium-sized trees flowering from April to May. They produce fragrant flowers 2-5cm (1-2in) across, usually shallowly cup-shaped, singly or in umbel-like corymbs. The flowers are followed by edible fruits, although some need cooking to be palatable.
The fruit flavour improves considerably if the fruit is not harvested until it has been frosted. The fruit is quite variable in size (it is about 2-4cm in diameter) and quality. While usually harsh and acidic, some cultivars are quite sweet and can be eaten raw.
The fruit is rich in pectin and can be used in helping other fruits to set when making jam. Pectin is also said to protect the body against radiation.
The name Malus is from the Greek melon, and has in the past been applied to several tree fruits with a fleshy exterior.
Malus x zumi 'Golden Hornet'
'Golden Hornet' is a broadly pyramidal, deciduous tree bearing a profusion of large, cup-shaped pink-flushed white flowers which open from deep pink buds in late spring. Small, yellow crab apples follow, and persist well into winter. The display of golden fruit is further enhanced when the dark foliage turns yellow in autumn.
Cultivation
- Grow in moderately fertile moist but well-drained soil in full sun, although partial shade is tolerated.
- Minimal pruning is needed in late winter or early spring, when the tree is dormant. Remove damaged, wayward or crossing shoots.
- Aphids, red spider mites, caterpillars, apple scab, honey fungus, canker, fireblight and mildew may cause problems.
Propagation
- Bud in late summer
- Graft in midwinter
AGM
The RHS Woody Plant Committee awarded Malus x zumi ‘Golden Hornet’ an Award of Garden Merit and described it as:
"Small deciduous tree with a broad ovoid crown and white flowers followed by a profuse crop of bright, deep yellow fruits 2.5cm long, which persist well into winter."