About
Malus sikkimensis, the Sikkim crab apple, is a deciduous tree with an upright habit and narrowly oval, toothed, green leaves that are woolly underneath when young. White flowers open from pink buds in late spring, followed by small, slightly pear-shaped, glossy red fruits in autumn. A beautiful and ornamental crab apple for a sheltered garden.
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, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toHimalaya
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 fertile, loamy, well-drained soil in a sunny position; will tolerate partial shade
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by seed, by chip budding in late summer, or by grafting in mid-winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, including rosy apple aphid and woolly aphid, apple sawfly, fruit tree red spider mite, codling moth, apple leaf-mining moth and other caterpillars
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to apple canker, apple scab, blossom wilt, brown rot, fireblight, honey fungus and powdery mildews