A reliable self-fertile American apple with golden-yellow skin and sweet, mild, juicy flesh suited to eating and cooking. A heavy and consistent cropper that also serves as an excellent universal pollinator.
At a glance
- Plant type: Fruiting tree
- Mature size: 4 m H × 3.5 m W
- Aspect: full sun
- Water: regular, moderate watering
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: moderate maintenance
- Origin: Exotic
About Golden Delicious Apple
Botanically, Malus domestica 'Golden Delicious' is a moderate-growing fruiting tree in the Rosaceae family. It reaches around 4 m tall and 3.5 m wide at maturity, with deciduous foliage. White and pink flowers appear in spring.
Where to grow Golden Delicious Apple
Golden Delicious Apple suits cool-temperate, warm-temperate and Mediterranean climates and grows best in full sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters.
Soil & planting
Golden Delicious Apple does best in free-draining and loamy soil. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool.
Watering & feeding
Golden Delicious Apple does best with regular, moderate watering. Feed regularly through the growing season for the best crop. Keep a newly planted specimen evenly watered through its first season; established plants can then follow the water needs above.
Pruning & care
Prune Golden Delicious Apple after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. Overall it is moderate maintenance.
Using Golden Delicious Apple in the garden
Golden Delicious Apple earns its place for edible harvests and a feature or specimen planting.
Companion planting & design
Combine Golden Delicious Apple with plants that share its preference for regular, moderate watering and cool-temperate climate. Use an odd-numbered group where space allows, or repeat it at intervals through a longer bed.
Buying Golden Delicious Apple
Plant Sale lists Golden Delicious Apple as bare-root stock, advanced specimens and potted plants. Current stock is confirmed manually, so register interest above before planning around a specific size.
