About
Malus 'Dartmouth', the Dartmouth crab apple, is a vigorous, broadly upright to rounded, deciduous tree to about 8 m with dark-green leaves up to 11 cm long. Single, white flowers open from pink buds in late spring, followed by large, red-purple fruit to 5 cm across. A popular and ornamental crab apple for a garden of any size.
About the genus
Malus, the crab apples, are small to medium-sized deciduous trees with showy white, pink or red flowers in spring and ornamental or edible fruit in autumn. Some species offer additional autumn foliage colour. Among the most popular of all flowering trees for garden use.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, North-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, City and courtyard gardens
ToxicityAlthough generally edible when cooked, seeds contain toxins so these should be removed if you are considering eating the fruit, usually grown as an ornamental shrub. see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile soil in a sunny position; will tolerate partial shade
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by chip budding in late summer. Grafting can be carried out in midwinter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, including woolly aphid and rosy apple aphid, fruit tree red spider mite, codling moth and other caterpillars
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to apple canker, apple scab, blossom wilt, brown rot, fireblight, honey fungus and powdery mildews