Malus spp., crabapple
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Malus spp.

crabapple

Rosaceae

Temperate Northern Hemisphere — Europe, Asia, North America; most ornamental cultivars are complex hybrids involving Asian species including M. baccata, M. sargentii, and M. floribunda

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height8–25 feet (2.4–7.5 m)
Width8–25 feet (2.4–7.5 m)
Maturity12 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Drought Tolerant
Fragrant (moderate)
Maintenancemoderate

Overview

A genus of approximately 35 species of deciduous trees grown in Pacific Northwest gardens for spectacular spring flowering, ornamental small fruits, and multi-season interest. Ornamental crabapples range from 8–25 feet (2.4–7.5 m) tall with habits from weeping to columnar to broadly rounded. Spring flowers in white, pink, rose, or deep red-purple, 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) across, in April–May; many are fragrant. Small fruits 0.5–1 inch (12–25 mm) diameter in red, orange, gold, or yellow, ripening in fall and often persisting through winter to provide bird food. Apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) is the primary disease concern in the wet Pacific Northwest — disease-resistant cultivar selection is critical. Seeds mildly toxic to pets. Hardy in USDA zones 4–8.

Native Range

The genus Malus is distributed across the temperate Northern Hemisphere. Most ornamental cultivars are complex hybrids involving Asian species, particularly M. baccata (Siberian crabapple), M. sargentii (Sargent crabapple), M. floribunda (Japanese crabapple), and others.

Suggested Uses

Planted as specimen trees, street trees, or wildlife-supporting trees at spacing matched to cultivar mature size. No other commonly grown small deciduous tree combines spring flower display, ornamental fall fruit, bird-supporting value, and variety of form in a single plant. Select disease-resistant cultivars for the Pacific Northwest. Seeds mildly toxic to pets if consumed in large quantity.

How to Identify

Identified by the deciduous habit, alternate simple serrated leaves, profuse spring flower display, and small hard fruits under 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter — the defining distinction between crabapples and apples. Flowers five-petaled, 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) across. Fruit colors and persistence vary by cultivar. Distinguished from ornamental cherries (Prunus) by the fruit production; from pears (Pyrus) by the fruit shape and leaf texture.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8' - 25'
Width/Spread8' - 25'

Reaches mature size in approximately 12 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white
pink
red
purple

Foliage Colors

green
red
purple

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow
orange
red

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
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Spring
Blooms in April–May, typically for 1–2 weeks. Flower color ranges from pure white through pale pink, rose, and deep red-purple depending on cultivar. Many cultivars are fragrant. One of the most spectacular brief flowering events among commonly grown Pacific Northwest landscape trees.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Five-petaled, 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) across; white, pale pink, rose-pink, or deep red-purple depending on cultivar; many are fragrant

Foliage Description

Alternate, simple, serrated margins; medium to dark green through the growing season; some cultivars have purple-red foliage; yellow to red fall color depending on cultivar

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 6.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10–15 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun in well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5). Full sun essential for disease resistance and best flowering. Space according to mature size of the selected cultivar (8–25 feet/2.4–7.5 m). Water regularly during establishment; moderately drought tolerant once established. Select disease-resistant cultivars — susceptibility to apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) is the primary limitation in the wet Pacific Northwest climate. Resistant cultivars include Malus 'Prairifire', Malus 'Sugar Tyme', Malus 'Camelot', and Malus 'Robinson'.

Pruning

Prune in late winter (February–March) before growth begins. Remove dead, crossing, and water-sprout branches. Maintain open canopy for air circulation to reduce disease pressure. Avoid heavy pruning — crabapples respond with vigorous water sprout growth that increases fire blight risk.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets