Apple (Malus) Honeycrisp MM106

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-vigorous MM106 rootstock, it makes a robust, well-anchored tree reaching around 4m in height and spread, suited to larger gardens or orchards.

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. MM106 tolerates a wide range of soils and produces a sturdy tree that generally doesn't need permanent staking once established, though it does take a little longer to come into fruit than more dwarfing rootstocks — usually 4–5 years.

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.