PLANT PROFILE:
Malus Crabapple

There are around thirty species of crabapples growing in native habitats from Europe, Asia and North America. There are also hundreds of garden varieties of these highly popular trees.

Crabapples are best known for their beautiful pink and white blooms in spring. These trees also offer beautiful winterberries, and picturesque growth with maturity. Their dark brown, flaky bark and lovely growth pattern can look spooky on a gray winter evening. However, their hanging berries are wonderful, plump and highly ornamental.

Crabapples can adapt to many landscape situations and are good performers in a variety of conditions. There are newer varieties that are resistant to many of the diseases that once plagued older varieties. Two good choices for our area are Sugar Tyme and Red Jewel. Both have glossy bright red fruit in shiny clusters along each stem. The fruit will often persist into the winter. They are stunning on a clear winters day when they sparkle and shine under the sun's glow. Callaway and Centurion are also notable varieties. Crabapples prefer moist, well-drained soil and full sun. They are very tolerant of pollution, poor soils and temperature extremes.