85 Chief Justice Cushing Hwy ~ Rt. 3A ~ Scituate, MA 02066 ~ 781-545-1266

 

Flowering Crabapples

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Flowering Crabapples are one of the most beautiful flowering trees mother nature has blessed us with.  A very showy tree in full flower.  Flowers range from whites to pinks to red.  Trees are often fragrant when in full bloom.  Often mistaken as a messy tree with big ugly fruit.  The fruits on most the most common varieties are small, but often attractive.  In some cases the fruit is spectacular!  Berries appear in the fall and will drop off the tree in the late fall or winter if the birds do not eat them all.  Best if not planted near a walkway or the front door to avoid messy carpets.  They prefer a full day a sun.  Birds are often attracted to Flowering Crabs.  These trees do need to monitored for caterpillars in the spring and summer.  We recommend choosing varieties more resistant to disease.  Otherwise these are extremely tough trees.  Flowering crabapples are tolerant to dry conditions as well as windy environments, such as seaside conditions.  Below is a list of some of the varieties that Kennedy’s carries.

Malus ‘Coralburst’ – A smaller growing variety.  Beautiful red buds and pink flowers are very showy.  Small berries are few and far between compared to other crabapples.  Not as messy or as showy in the fall.  Height varies on height of trunk it was grown on in the nursery.  Usually the top of the tree grows to an 8-10’ round canopy.  Very small for a tree.  Very useful in small spaces.

Malus ‘Donald Wymnan’ – Known as one of the best all-round flowering Crabapples.  Flower buds start pink and quickly turn a pure white.  Donald Wyman typically has a prolific fall fruit display. Very attractive!  The fruit is a glossy red color in the fall.  The fruits fade in color but lasts through the winter if not eaten by the birds.  Very resistant to disease problems that plague many other Flowering Crabapples.  Grows about 20’ tall and wide.   Highly recommended by Kennedy’s staff as a medium growing tree.

Malus ‘Louisa’ – A beautiful weeping variety.  Nice graceful cascading branches as the plant matures.  May ultimately grow about 15’ tall and wide.  Good disease resistance.  Very showy pink blossoms followed by small yellow fruits. 

Malus ‘Pink Spires’ – A more upright variety.  Grows about up to 20’ tall and only 12’ wide.  Disease resistant foliage with a red tinge to the leaf.  Rosy pink flowers followed by purplish red fruits.  Very hardy.

Malus sargent – Another dwarf variety.  Growing only about 5-10’ round.  The ultimate shape is oval, a little wider than tall.  This tree is usually grown with a short trunk, but sometimes it is available with without a trunk and can be grown almost like a large shrub.  Nice red buds turn quickly into pure white flowers in early spring.  Red fruit appears later in the season. 

Malus sargent ‘Tina’ – Similar to above with a slightly more compact growing habit.  Very dainty.  Great for small spaces.  Makes a nice patio tree. 

*Photograph courtesy of Horticopia, Inc.

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Last modified: July 26, 2005