Malus domestica ‘Sweet Summer’®, Sweet yellow apple tree, 1.5-litre pot

Malus domestica ‘Sweet Summer’® is an apple tree that produces sweet apples which turn yellow as they ripen. The fruit ripens gradually, allowing you to pick it in several batches. This makes the variety ideal for anyone who enjoys eating a few fresh apples from their own garden from time to time.

Gradual harvesting

The young apples are green and may develop a blush as they ripen. Pick the yellow, ripe fruit and leave any apples that are not yet ripe on the tree. Also check the flavour and whether the fruit comes away easily. The duration and start of the harvest depend on the season and the location; not all apples are ready to eat on the same day. They are suitable for eating fresh and for use in cakes or compote.

Pollination

Having another suitable apple variety with overlapping flowering times nearby helps to ensure a reliable harvest. A suitable ornamental apple tree can also provide pollen. Two trees of the same variety do not provide the same level of cross-pollination as different varieties. Bees and other insects carry out pollination.

Location and care

Choose a sunny spot in nutritious, well-drained soil. Water after planting and during dry spells. Keep the graft union above ground level and support the tree where necessary. If planting on a patio, use a large pot with drainage holes; check the root ball more frequently in this case and feed according to the instructions on the packet.

Harvest and growth

Pick the apples when they are ripe and come away with a gentle twist. The weather and the location affect ripening and yield. Thin out a very heavy crop to relieve the load on the branches. The tree sheds its leaves in autumn. In the early years, good root establishment and balanced growth are important.

Pruning and maintenance

In winter, on a frost-free day, remove dead, damaged and crossing branches. Retain short fruiting branches and prune lightly to allow light and air into the crown. Remove shoots growing below the graft union. The final size of the tree depends partly on the rootstock, site and pruning. In severe frost, protect the root ball of potted trees.

Contents of this product

1 x Malus domestica ‘Sweet Summer’® apple tree. Supplied in a 1.5-litre pot.

Height, branching and foliage vary from plant to plant and from season to season. Flowering and fruiting at the time of delivery are not guaranteed.