Best OfThe Bunch; Malus (Crab apple).

THESE deciduous trees are ideal as specimens for smaller gardens, bearing crab apples in autumn ranging from yellow to red, their leaves turning yellow and orange too.

Grow M x zumi 'Golden Hornet' for its spherical golden yellow fruits, which appear in autumn and remain on the bare branches well into winter. In spring, the trees bear masses of blossom ranging from white to pink and purplish red.

They can be grown in any fertile, welldrained soil in sun and will tolerate light shade, but purple-leaved varieties are best in full sun. Prune them in winter.