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RITree’s Flowering Tree Spotlight

Published on
June 26, 2023

There is an abundance of beautiful flowering trees to chose from. In this series we will highlight one tree at a time to become familiar with.

Crabapple, Malus Spp.

A great choice if you are looking for a compact tree that brings year round interest. Gorgeous spring buds, handsome summer foliage, and great fall color are some of the crabapple’s main draws. Typically, this tree stays below 20’.

Botanical Name : Malus Spp.

Zone:4-8

Size: 15-20’ (there are dwarf varieties available)

Spread: 15-20’

Exposure: Full sun

Bloom time: Mid-late spring fragrant white, pink, magenta or red blooms last for 1-2 weeks. Fruit ripens late summer to mid-fall. Most cultivars have red fruit, but you can find yellow, maroon and orange.

Growth rate: Moderate

Crabapples come in all shapes and sizes, including spreading, weeping, dwarf, vase-shaped and columnar.
This photo features a weeping Louisa Crabapple. These can grow to 12-15’
Crabapples’ flowers bloom at dlightly different times depending on the cultivar. A design consideration is whether to have multiple types to have blooms for longer, or the same type and have an explosion of fragrance and color simultaneously.
The royal raindrops cultivar reaches 15’ with bright buds and purple foliage.
Royal Raindrops’ Fall Color
Crabapples’ fruit is not just ornamental, it provides much needed wildlife value.
Often too sour for humans, the fruit comes in a variety of sizes and colors
depending on the cultivar.
Some culitvars such as M. ‘Guinevere’ provide winter interest with the fruit.