Crab Apple Trees

Crab Apple Trees (Malus) are valued for both as ornamental trees for the crab apple flowers and for the crab apple fruit that is used widely in jams and jellies as well as for apple cider. They make a useful spreading small shade tree and many have good autumn colour as well.

These are a tough tree that cope well with a range of conditions and once established require little care or pruning. Dwarf cultivars that will reach a maximimum or around 3m are also available. For flowers (but not much fruit) Malus floribunda or 'Showy Crabapple' is one of the best white flowering varieties (see picture right). Reaching around 5 - 6m depending on conditions.

Malus hupehensis is one of the better pink flowering crabapples. Malus x atrosanguinea is a NZ cultivar and one of the best for fruit, along with the John Downie Crabapple (Malus John Downie) which will reach around 8m depending on the rootstock it is grown on.

Crab Apple Trees varieties and types in Australia.

Malus ioensis 'Plena' or Bechtels Flowering Crabapple is a favorite white to pink flowering cultivar while Malus ioensis 'Rubra' has pink to red flowers. Malus floribunda or Japanese Crabapple is very popular with masses of white flowers in spring. Malus floribunda 'Pendula' is the Weeping Japanese Crabapple usually grafted as a standard. Malus spectabilis 'Plena' has large attractive 'double' flowers. Malus baccata ( Mandshurica Siberian Crabapple ) is another worth looking for.

Malus Trilobata is probably the best upright crab apple with deeply lobed foliage and large white flowers. This one will reach around 7m and is excellent as a landscaping variety, could be used to line a driveway.Malus tschonoskii is another upright form.