About
A deciduous flowering crab apple with a spreading habit and bronze-tinged leaves. Flowers, borne in mid to late spring, are pink opening from dark buds. Small orangey-red fruits are borne in autumn and typically persist for several months.
About the genus
Malus are small to medium-sized deciduous trees with showy flowers in spring and ornamental or edible fruit in autumn; some have good autumn foliage colour
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife 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; will tolerate partial shade
PruningPruning group 1 - light pruning to shape
PropagationPropagate by chip budding in late summer. Grafting can be carried out in midwinter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, woolly aphid, fruit tree red spider mite and caterpillars
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to apple scab, apple canker, blossom wilt, honey fungus and powdery mildews