Crabapples - They'll make you turn to Jelly! In my first "proper" garden I asked an experienced plant enthusiast to recommend a good small ornamental tree. Her reply was given without hesitation - Malus Ioensis Plena. Malus is the Latin word for Apple. Whilst this particular Crabapple is not noted for showy fruit, it more than makes up for it with the double pink blossom which smothers the tree in late spring. The grey-green foliage is most attractive when it emerges and turns to warm shades of yellow in autumn. But wait, it doesn't stop there, the Malus or Crabapple family offers more than just beautiful blossom. Most have highly ornamental fruit that appears in autumn after the flowers and holds on the tree well into the winter or until picked for delicious Crabapple Jelly. One of the top fruiting varieties is "Jack Humm" which has large bright crimson fruit flushed with a little yellow and orange. These fruits are seldom touched by birds so if you don't wish to process into Jelly they will add interest to the winter garden. Crabapples are quite easy to grow in a sunny sheltered position. They are tolerant of most soil types except for water logged soil. If you feel that your soil is a little poor then spread some slow release fertilizer around the tree in spring, perhaps adding some mulch or compost at the same time. Remember to leave space between the trunk of the tree and the start of the mulch layer. Any pruning should be done in winter on a dry day. Basically prune for the first couple of years to get a nice open shape with three main branches that form a V - or what is known in horticulture as a vase shape. After that you can pretty much let the tree alone and just enjoy. Warning: some Crabapples to have quite sharp spurs so if you are working under or around the tree take care not to meet one of these head on or you will in danger of becoming a crabby apple yourself!

Weeping

36 LISTINGS FOR MALUS

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A NZ raised hybrid from Queenstown. Selected for the outstanding display of golden yellow Crabapples that decorate the horizontal branches from autumn into winter. Spring flowers are white opening from pink buds. Plant in a sunny well drained position. Deciduous.

 

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This NZ hybrid is an outstanding flowering Crabapple producing clusters of red buds in September which quickly open to a mass of spectacularly large, frilly, fully double pink blossoms. These are followed by showy, large, apricot coloured Crab Apples. A vigorous and neat small tree. Deciduous.

 

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Masses of beautiful carmine red spring flowers are followed by large purple red crab apples. The tall narrow columnar habit lends this special tree to many uses. Imagine a row marching along a driveway. You could even grow it in a container. Deciduous. PVR.

The apples make delicious jelly.

 

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Double, wine-red blossom appears in spring followed by reddish green summer foliage that intensifies in tone in autumn. The crabapple fruits are a purple-red shade. A different and distinctive ornamental cultivar. Happiest in a sunny well drained position. Deciduous.

 

A lovely ornamental Crabapple with large rounded fresh green leaves that colour well in autumn. Double shell pink blossoms in spring followed by small green fruit. Plant in a sunny position. Deciduous.

 

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aka Semi-Weeping Crabapple

Bred in Queenstown. White flowers in spring followed by masses of small golden fruit in autumn. A red blush develops as fruit mature in winter. Semi-weeping branches on a centre leader tree. Hardy. Deciduous

 

aka Semi-Weeping Crabapple

Bred in Queenstown. White flowers in spring followed by masses of small golden fruit in autumn. A red blush develops as fruit mature in winter. Semi-weeping branches on a centre leader tree. Hardy. Deciduous

 

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aka Weeping Crabapple

Weeping. A graceful, weeping tree with pendulous branches that are covered in masses of rose crimson flowers in spring followed by decorative reddish purple fruits. The emerging spring foliage has red tones before maturing to green. Plant in a sunny well drained spot. Deciduous.

 

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aka Weeping Crabapple

Weeping. A graceful, weeping tree with pendulous branches that are covered in masses of rose crimson flowers in spring followed by decorative reddish purple fruits. The emerging spring foliage has red tones before maturing to green. Plant in a sunny well drained spot. Deciduous.

 

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aka Weeping Crabapple

There is a lot to like about the gorgeous weeping Crabapple. Masses of dark red buds open to reveal soft crimson blossoms in spring, these are followed by small red fruits that will hold on the tree well into winter. The foliage is a soft shade of maroon. Easy to grow in a sunny spot. Deciduous. PVR.