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Frank P Matthews  |  SKU: 30151074  |  Barcode: 5038838042393

Malus domestica 'Ballerina Samba' Apple Tree - 12Ltr Pot

£6299
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4 in stock


Malus domestica 'Ballerina Samba' Apple Tree – 12Ltr Pot is a compact columnar apple tree that combines attractive ornamental value with delicious, crisp fruit. Perfect for patios, small gardens and urban spaces, this improved Ballerina variety produces vibrant red apples with a refreshing sweet-sharp flavour while maintaining a slender, space-saving shape.

Key Features

  • Compact columnar apple tree ideal for patios and smaller gardens
  • Produces crisp, juicy apples with a balanced sweet and sharp flavour
  • Attractive bright ruby-red fruits ripen in early October
  • Suitable for eating fresh, cooking, juicing and jelly making
  • Decorative deep pink spring blossom adds seasonal interest
  • Improved Ballerina variety with a more compact and upright habit

Product Description

Malus domestica 'Ballerina Samba' is a modern columnar apple tree bred specifically for gardeners who want productive fruit trees without sacrificing valuable space. An improved member of the popular Ballerina series, Samba offers a more compact and upright growth habit than earlier varieties, making it particularly well suited to patios, courtyards, balconies and smaller gardens.

Unlike traditional apple trees, Ballerina Samba grows with a naturally slender, vertical form, producing only short side shoots before continuing its upright growth. This architectural habit allows gardeners to enjoy home-grown fruit in spaces where larger orchard trees would be impractical. The tree also works beautifully as part of a decorative edible garden, planted in rows or used as an attractive focal point.

In spring, clusters of deep pink blossom cover the branches, creating a striking ornamental display that attracts pollinators to the garden. By early October, the tree produces attractive yellow apples flushed with bright ruby-red colouring. The crisp, juicy flesh delivers a refreshing balance of sweetness and acidity, making the fruit highly versatile for fresh eating, baking and juicing.

Beyond traditional uses, the apples can also be used to create crab apple-style jelly, adding further versatility to this productive variety. Combining ornamental appeal, compact growth and excellent fruit quality, Ballerina Samba is an ideal choice for modern gardens where space is at a premium.

Specifications

  • Botanical Name: Malus domestica 'Ballerina Samba'
  • Common Name: Ballerina Samba Apple Tree
  • Brand: Frank P Matthews
  • Pot Size: 12Ltr Pot
  • Plant Type: Deciduous fruit tree
  • Growth Habit: Compact, upright columnar form
  • Fruit Colour: Yellow flushed bright ruby-red
  • Flesh Texture: Crisp and juicy
  • Flavour: Sweet and sharp
  • Uses: Eating, cooking, juicing and jelly making
  • Picking Time: Early October
  • Pollination Group: 3
  • Suitable For: Patios, small gardens, courtyards and containers
  • Blossom Colour: Deep pink
  • Flowering Season: Spring
  • Origin: East Malling Research Station, Kent
  • Developed: 1996
  • Introduced: 2008

Recommended Pollination Partners

For reliable fruit production, plant alongside suitable pollinating apple varieties such as:

  • Apple 'Bountiful'
  • Apple 'Braeburn'
  • Apple 'Cox Self Fertile'
  • Apple 'Egremont Russet'
  • Apple 'Discovery'
  • Apple 'Ellison's Orange'
  • Apple 'Fiesta'
  • Apple 'Gala'

Planting & Care Tips

  • Plant in full sun for the best blossom display and fruit development.
  • Grow in fertile, well-drained soil or a large patio container.
  • Water regularly during dry spells, particularly for container-grown trees.
  • Feed annually with a balanced fruit tree fertiliser in spring.
  • Minimal pruning is required due to the naturally columnar growth habit.
  • Harvest fruits when fully coloured and ripe for the best flavour.

Why Choose Malus domestica 'Ballerina Samba'?

If you're looking for a productive apple tree that fits comfortably into smaller spaces, Malus domestica 'Ballerina Samba' Apple Tree is an excellent choice. Its compact shape, decorative blossom and versatile, flavour-packed fruit make it ideal for patios, urban gardens and contemporary outdoor spaces, delivering ornamental beauty and rewarding harvests from a surprisingly small footprint.

About Us

We are a family run, independent Garden Centre, Farm Shop and Restaurant combined. We are proud to offer the very best gardening, home and outdoor living products alongside delicious, fresh, locally produced food and drink.

Awarded 'Best Garden Centre in the UK in 2018 & 2021 you can rest assured that we offer excellent products, plants and customer service.

Learn more about us and our story on the 'About Us' page.

Delivery

Collect your order in-store, have it delivered to your door, or choose a convenient InPost Locker!

We aim to dispatch orders as quickly as possible using trusted couriers.

Your Questions Answered...

What are the delivery options and prices?

We offer Standard (3-5 working days) and Express (1-2 working days) delivery for a small additional charge.

- Postable items (e.g., seed packets, gift cards) - £2.95 via Royal Mail.
- Smaller, lighter items - £4.95 – £6.95.
- Larger, heavier, and fragile items - £9.95 – £19.95.
- Pallet deliveries (e.g., furniture) - from £69.95 (see kerbside pallet delivery details below).

The exact delivery charge is calculated at checkout based on your selected items.

New! Deliver to InPost Locker

Instead of home delivery, choose to collect your parcel from an InPost Locker near you.

- Delivery rates: £3.95 or £4.95 depending on item size.
- How it works: Choose InPost after completing your order. You'll receive a notification when your parcel is ready to collect.
- Collection options: Scan the QR code or open the locker remotely via the InPost app. If collecting from a shop, show your QR code to the staff.
- Collection time: You have 3 days to pick up your parcel. InPost will send a reminder 24 hours before expiry.
- Tracking: Track your parcel via the InPost app or the tracking link in your confirmation email.

Can someone else pick up my parcel?

Yes! Share your QR code or collection code (sent via email) along with your mobile number, and they can collect it for you.

Do I need ID to collect from an InPost Locker?

No, just scan the QR code in the app or your email. For InPost Shop collections, show the QR code to the staff.

Any more questions?

Visit InPost’s [help page](#) for more details or check their blog for tips and updates.

How do I track my delivery?

Once your order is dispatched, you'll receive an email with tracking details.

Who delivers my order?

Depending on size and weight, orders are delivered by Royal Mail, Evri, or Parcelforce. Furniture and large items arrive via kerbside pallet delivery.

What is kerbside pallet delivery?

Large items like furniture are delivered on a pallet using a heavy goods vehicle. The pallet is placed at the nearest safe kerbside location. The driver cannot move it across uneven ground or remove the items from the pallet.

We can arrange a delivery date that suits you. If access for large vehicles is difficult, please let us know in advance.

What should I do if my order arrives damaged?

If your order is damaged in transit, email us a photo and your order number within 24 hours so we can resolve the issue.

Do you deliver to Northern Ireland?

Yes, though some larger or heavier items may incur a surcharge. Unfortunately, we cannot ship plants to Northern Ireland at this time.

Do any UK areas have a delivery surcharge?

Additional delivery charges may apply for:
- Channel Islands
- Northern Ireland
- Scottish Highlands & Islands
- Isle of Man & Isle of Wight
- Scilly Isles

What is the warranty on my purchase?

All products come with a manufacturer’s warranty (typically 12 months unless stated otherwise). Faulty items within the warranty period may be repaired or replaced subject to the manufacturer’s terms.

Still have questions?

Contact us via our enquiry form, call 01497 847055, or email shoponline@oldrailwaylinegc.co.uk.

Returns

How do I return an item?

If a purchase is no longer required you are able to return the goods within 28 days of delivery for a full refund in accordance with our refunds policy set out in Clause 10 of our Terms & Conditions. We will refund any money received from you using the same method originally used by you to pay for your purchase. Please make sure that you include the sales order or invoice with your return.

When returning items to us, please ensure that any and all original packaging, instructions, tags etc are included as supplied to you. We recommend using a recorded/insured service to return your order. The Old Railway Garden Centre cannot be held responsible for returned items lost or damaged in transit to us.