Title

Flowering Crabapple

(F2143, June 2024)
File
Publication File:
Lead Author
Lead Author:
Joseph Zeleznik, Ph.D., Extension Forester
Availability
Availability:
Web only
Publication Sections

Table of Contents

General
Scientific Name: Malus hybrids
Family: Rosaceae (Rose)
Hardiness: Zone 3
Leaves: Deciduous
Plant Type: Tree

Growth
Rate: Medium
Mature Height: 25-45’
Longevity: Long
Power Line: No

Ornamental
Flowers: White to pink to red
Fruit: Red to green, pea-sized to golf ball-sized
Fall Color: Yellow

Description

Ornamental crabapples are a group of small-to-medium flowering trees used for landscape plantings. They are valued for their foliage, flowers, fruit and variations in form and size. Fruits can be used in jellies.

Preferences

Light: Full sun.
Water: Medium.
Soil: Prefers acidic soils, tolerates a wide variety.

Comments

Flowering crabapples are susceptible to fireblight, frogeye leaf spot and have varying susceptibility to apple scab. Listed is a small selection of a wide variety of hardy cultivars are available in multiple forms:

  • Centurion® - Rose-pink flowers.
  • ‘David’ - White flowers, red fruits.
  • ‘Hopa’ - South Dakota introduction. Old pink flowered, apple scab susceptible cultivar.
  • ‘Kelsey’, ‘Selkirk’, ‘Thunderchild’ - Canadian cultivars with rose-pink flowers. ‘Thunderchild’ has purple leaves and is disease resistant.
  • ‘Radiant’, ‘Red Splendor’ ‘Vanguard’ - Minnesota cultivars. All have pink to rose-pink flowers.

  • ‘Spring Snow’ - White flowers, no fruits, sterile.

    Flowering Crabapple
    Photo Credit:
    Joseph Zeleznik, Ph.D., Extension Forester
    Flowering Crabapple
    Flowering Crabapple
    Photo Credit:
    Joseph Zeleznik, Ph.D., Extension Forester
    Flowering Crabapple
    Flowering Crabapple
    Photo Credit:
    Joseph Zeleznik, Ph.D., Extension Forester
    Flowering Crabapple