Providing nectar for awakening bees, nothing is more fragrant and beautiful than the flowering Malus Crabapple in yards and boulevards across the state. Crabapples are a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, with each cultivar providing its own unique set of characteristics varying in color, size, and visual appeal.

Crabapple trees grow best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade and like a damp, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. An annual spring application of a slow-release fertilizer such as Espoma Organic Plant-tone scattered in a circle around the drip line of the tree, will provide the tree with needed nutrients. Crabapples vary in height from 6-25 ft and width from 4-20 ft and grow relatively fast under the right conditions, so consider their mature size when choosing their location.  

Native to North America and Asia, the Crabapple tree provides a food source for a variety of birds and small mammals. Its fruit can be made into jellies and ciders. They can add vertical interest in a perennial bed or stand-alone beauty in the landscape.

Crabapples bloom mid-spring from red or pink buds that turn into 1-2” wide, 5-petal flowers of pink or white. There attractive flowers call to pollinators with an intoxicating aroma that makes the branches of this specimen tree a treat to cut and bring into the home. Once the flowers die back, small fruits begin to ripen on the branches. Depending on variety, they will be ready for birds or jelly between July and November. 

The Malus tree is susceptible to some insects and diseases though some cultivars are more resistant to these problems. When shopping for a Crabapple tree, it’s a good idea to research which cultivar will be best for your area and provide the highest resistance against diseases like apple scab, fire blight, cedar-apple rust, and powdery mildew. In addition to this, a spring application of horticulture oil sprayed on the trunk and branches of the tree can help mitigate some diseases. Depending on your location, Japanese beetles may also be a problem for your crabapple tree.

Tonkadale carries many varieties of Malus crabapple including ‘Prairie-fire’, ‘Royal Raindrops’, ‘Ruby Tears’, and ‘Tina’.

Happy planting and see you at Tonkadale.