Characteristics of Crabapples at the...

Flowers Depending on the cultivar and spring temperatures, full bloom could occur as early as late April or delay until mid-May. Flowers are classified as single (five petals), semi-double (six-ten petals), or double (more than 10 petals). Double-flowering crabapples retain their flowers longer than other types, but fruiting is usually sparse. Blossom colors range from pearly white to delicate pinks to deep red. There even are cultivars with coral or salmon colored flowers. Fruit Apples and crabapples are in the rose family, Rosaceae, in the genus Malus. Crabapples are differentiated from apples based on fruit size. If fruit is two inches in diameter or less, it is termed a crabapple. If the fruit is larger than two inches, it is classified as an apple. Fruit is borne in the summer and fall. Colors range from dark-reddish purple to red, and orange, to golden yellow, and even some green. On certain selections the fruit can remain attractive well into the late winter. The larger fruited cultivars offer a bonus because the fruit can be spiced or used in jelly. Growth Habit and Size Crabapples have diverse growth habits or tree shapes. Shapes include weeping (pendulous), rounded, spreading (horizontal), upright (columnar), vase-shaped, and pyramidal. Flowering crabapples vary greatly in size. At maturity, certain cultivars will only attain a height of eight feet, while others will tower to heights greater than 40 feet. However, most flowering crabapples reach mature heights of 15 to 25 feet. Due to their versatility, crabapples make excellent choices for use around homes, schools, parks, public and commercial buildings, and in highway plantings. Return to Crabapple care page OR Proceed to: REQUIREMENTS of crabapple trees MAINTENANCE of crabapple trees DISEASES affecting crabapple trees Return to Flowering trees page