Description
The 'Golden Delicious' apple tree is one of the most famous and widely grown apple varieties in the world, appreciated for its golden yellow fruits, sweet, melting flesh, and long shelf life. Originating in the United States in the early 20th century, this cultivar has proven itself in both home orchards and professional settings. Its consistent yield, moderate growth habit, abundant flowering and decent disease resistance make it a reliable and generous choice. It bears fruit early, responds well to pruning and can be trained as a goblet or espalier. The apple is crisp when first ripe, then softens over time, developing aromas of honey and pear.
Geographical origin: West Virginia (USA), around 1890.
Botanical family: Rosaceae
Features: Iconic variety, parent of many modern hybrids. Good storage capacity, vigorous growth and excellent productivity.
Adult height: 2.5 to 3 m (grafted on dwarfing rootstock)
Adult width: 2 to 3 m
Habit (form): Semi-upright, rounded and balanced
Bark: Grey, slightly rough with age
Foliage: Deciduous, light to medium green, oval, finely toothed
Growth: Moderately vigorous, early fruiting (from 2nd or 3rd year)
Hardiness: Good, down to −20 °C
Flowering period: April (mid-season)
Flower description: White flowers tinged with pink, simple and fragrant, very nectar-rich
Fruits: Large size, elongated shape, smooth golden yellow skin, sometimes russeted in sunlight. Creamy white flesh, fine, juicy, sweet, low in acidity. Harvest: September–October. Storage: 4 to 6 months in a cellar or fridge
Pollinators: 'Elstar', 'Granny Smith', 'Idared', 'Reine des Reinettes', 'Transparente de Croncels', 'Transparente Blanche', 'Melrose', 'Jonathan'
Pollinator and wildlife value: Flowers highly attractive to bees, fruits eaten by blackbirds and rodents
Ideal exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Deep, fertile, moist but well-drained. Slightly acidic to neutral
Soil preparation: Add well-decomposed compost. Loosen soil to 40 cm depth. Plant outside frost periods from November to March, or year-round if in containers.
Planting distance: 4 to 5 m for standard trees, 3 to 4 m for half-standard or dwarf
Soil nature: Humus-rich, deep, no stagnant water
Needs at planting: Regular watering during the first 2 years
Mature tree needs: Moderate. Mulching helpful in summer
When and how to prune:
Propagation method: Grafting (cleft or whip-and-tongue) on MM111, M9 or M26
Ideal setting: Home orchards, cottage gardens, fruit tree alleys
Recommended companion plants: Lavender, marigold, comfrey, allium, borage – natural protection and pollination
Uses: Fresh eating, pies, compotes, juice, dried fruit
Possible sensitivities: Apple scab (in persistent humidity), powdery mildew, aphids
Treatments and prevention: Sprays with clay or horsetail decoctions. Airy pruning. Partially resistant variety
Practical advice: Install permanent mulch, prune regularly, plant pollinator-friendly companions. Avoid excess nitrogen.
Very sweet, aromatic apple with long shelf life, suitable for both cooking and fresh eating. Widely grown commercially, but still highly valuable to home gardeners for its productivity and generosity.
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