Apple (Malus) Honeycrisp M26

Bred in Minnesota and famous the world over for its exceptionally crisp, juicy bite, 'Honeycrisp' brings a distinctive sweet-tart flavour and satisfying crunch that's hard to match. Grafted onto the semi-dwarfing M26 rootstock, it makes a compact, manageable tree reaching around 2.5–3m in height and spread, ideal for the average garden.

Pink and white blossom appears in May, followed by large, round to oblong apples with yellowish skin flushed and striped red — in a sunny spot, expect a real pop of pink colour. Harvest from late September, but note that unlike some varieties, 'Honeycrisp' is best eaten fresh rather than stored long-term, as the fruit bruises easily and can soften over time.

'Honeycrisp' is not self-fertile, so a pollination partner is essential — varieties like 'Gala' or 'Golden Delicious', which flower in the same period, make excellent partners. M26 typically needs staking for the first few years while the root system establishes, after which it's largely self-supporting, and trees usually begin cropping within a year or two.

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.