Apple Royal Gala
Malus domestica Royal Gala is one of New Zealand’s most popular apple varieties, celebrated for its crisp texture, aromatic sweetness, and attractive red-striped skin. The medium-sized fruit has creamy yellow flesh and excellent eating quality straight from the tree. Flowering in mid-spring, this reliable cultivar produces a generous crop that ripens from mid to late summer.
Perfect for home orchards, family gardens, and lifestyle blocks. Complements productive, contemporary, or informal garden designs.
Prefers a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, free-draining soil and regular moisture. Requires a compatible pollinator to ensure a consistent fruit set. Allow 3–4 metres between trees to promote airflow and healthy growth.
Mature size: Reaches approximately 4–5 metres tall with a dense, upright growth habit.
Trimming: Prune in winter to maintain an open, vase-like shape. Remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches to encourage light penetration and airflow, which support healthy fruit development and reduce disease risk.
Deadheading: Not applicable for fruit trees.
Fertilising: Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring before new growth begins. A layer of compost or well-rotted manure around the base each year will improve soil quality and moisture retention.
Watering: Water young trees regularly during their establishment phase and mature trees during prolonged dry spells—especially from late spring through summer when fruit is maturing.
Pest Control: Monitor for codling moth, leafroller caterpillars, and woolly aphids. Use pheromone traps for moths and treat aphids with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Regular inspection helps with early intervention.
Disease Management: ‘Royal Gala’ is prone to apple scab and powdery mildew. Watch for scabby lesions on fruit and leaves, or white powdery coatings on young growth. Remove and dispose of affected material and apply fungicide preventatively in early spring. Prune to maintain good air circulation.
Enjoy complimentary delivery anywhere in mainland New Zealand when you purchase plants worth $250 or more*.
For orders below $250, the following flat-rate delivery charges are applicable:
- Urban delivery within mainland New Zealand: $19.95
- Rural delivery within mainland New Zealand: $39.95
- Waiheke, Chatham and Great Barrier Islands: Please contact us for shipping options.
We aim to have all orders shipped within 14 days from the order date, unless a different shipping date is specified alongside a product.
