Overview
Malus spectabilis is a columnar upright trees in the genus Malus, part of the Rosaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Malus spectabilis grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden and wildlife gardens.
About
Malus spectabilis (Chinese: 海棠; pinyin: hǎitáng) is a species of crabapple known by the common names Asiatic apple, Chinese crab, HaiTang and Chinese flowering apple. In the wild it grows across North America, Southern Asia, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast and other regions. Grow it in full sun and partial shade and most soil types. In UK gardens it is hardy in most of the UK (RHS H5). It works well for city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden and wildlife gardens. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained, well-drained conditions and east-facing, north-facing, south-facing and west-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Malus spectabilis
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Malus
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Malus spectabilis size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Malus spectabilis
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, by chip budding in late summer, or by grafting in mid-winter
- Pest resistance
- May 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 resistance
- May be susceptible to apple canker, apple scab, blossom wilt, brown rot, fireblight, honey fungus and powdery mildews
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Malus spectabilis?
Malus spectabilis prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Malus spectabilis need?
Malus spectabilis is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
Is Malus spectabilis hardy in the UK?
Malus spectabilis has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Malus spectabilis?
Propagate by seed, by chip budding in late summer, or by grafting in mid-winter.
More in the Malus genus
- Malus 'Adams'crab apple 'Adams'
- Malus 'Cowichan'
- Malus Red Jewel ('Jewelcole')
- Malus domestica 'All Red Gravenstein' (D)
- Malus domestica 'Blood of the Boyne' (D)
- Malus domestica 'Calville des Femmes' (C)
- Malus domestica 'Chehalis' (D)
- Malus domestica 'Cornish Onion Red Streak' (F)