Apple (Malus) Granny Smith MM106

The world's most recognisable green apple, 'Granny Smith' is prized for its bright, tangy sharpness and famously crisp bite — as good in a crumble as it is eaten straight from the tree. Grafted onto the semi-vigorous MM106 rootstock, it makes a robust, well-anchored tree reaching around 4–5m in height and spread, suited to larger gardens and orchards.

White blossom with a pink tint appears in spring, followed by bright yellow-green fruit with firm, white flesh — crisp and refreshing at its best. This is a later-season variety, cropping heavily in mid-autumn and storing exceptionally well, often right through to spring.

Worth knowing: 'Granny Smith' originates from Australia and needs a long, warm growing season to ripen well — in the UK it performs best in a sheltered, south- or west-facing spot, particularly in the milder south and west of the country. It's a lovely variety to grow, but it will reward a warm site far more than a cold or exposed one. Happily, it's self-fertile, so it will crop on its own, though yields improve with a pollination partner from Group 2, 3 or 4 nearby.

Plant in full sun in moist, well-drained soil, and prune each winter to maintain an open, productive shape. As with all apple varieties, the pips contain small amounts of naturally occurring toxins, so they're best removed if the fruit is being used for cooking with children in mind.

Each tree is hand-selected before dispatch. Available from Pengelly Garden Centre.