About
Single pink flowers blossom in spring and turn white as they age. A medium-sized, upright deciduous crab apple with young, purplish leaves that turn dark green as the season progresses. The fruit follows in summer, is deep red and persists on the tree into autumn and is good for making jelly.
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
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFlower
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
PruningPruning group 1
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