Frank P Matthews
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A tree that has been grown in the field and then lifted out of the ground when dormant. Available from November to March. The roots are more open and the direct contact with the soil encourages them to settle in and establish more readily.
These are 2yr old trees that have been grown 1yr in the field and the second in a pot. Container trees can be planted at any time of the year but establish best when planted during the autumn and need to be watered well during the first summer.
Crab Apple trees are the most diverse garden trees. Like other apples, they fall under the genus Malus. There are many beautiful varieties, producing a dazzling range of blossoms, fruit, foliage, and habits. Crab Apple flowers mostly appear in April and May in abundance, often covering the whole tree. Some are pure white, others are very deep red or purple. They can be single-petalled open flowers or more dense double flowers. Crab Apple blossom is fantastic for insects and great for pollinating apple trees.
Malus trees produce fruit in the form of Crab Apples. These are smaller than normal eating apples and are best used for jellies. Although there is no scientific distinction, apples that are smaller than two inches in diameter are considered to be Crab Apples. The taste is sourer than normal eating apples and they are much higher in antioxidants and vitamin C. They also make excellent natural bird feeders. Some varieties have very persistent fruit that remains on the tree well into winter, providing an excellent food source for birds.
Crab Apple trees are tolerant of almost any soil condition, except waterlogged, and are happy in full sun or partial shade. They will grow well in almost any garden. They are very disease-resistant and trouble-free. All Malus can be pruned hard to shape if required so they can grow in even the smallest garden. Some dwarf varieties and those grafted onto a dwarf rootstock are also ideal for keeping in a pot.
As well as dwarf varieties, Crab Apple trees can be very upright, growing in a column, weeping in an elegant umbrella shape, or spreading out like a mushroom. Most make a dainty tree that can be planted as a single specimen or grown in groups or borders with other plants.
We would highly recommend planting a Crab Apple tree. They are very ornamental and are not big trees. The range of fruit colour is spectacular: bright yellow, dazzling pink, verdant green, rich scarlet or deep purple. The leaves often display lovely autumn colour too. In spring the blossom can be pure white or varying shades of pink and red. The blossom is profuse and they make excellent pollinators for all other apple trees. Insects and bees love the flowers and the birds love the fruit so they are great for wildlife. Crab Apple trees make some of the very best garden trees.
Crab Apple
A charming, dwarf, upright growing Malus with semi-double white flowers and persistent small apricot coloured fruit.
Leaves shiny dark burgundy to black. Bright purple/pink flowers in spring turn a very dark red/maroon.
A spreading tree that appears to have arching branches due to the heavy crop of large glowing butter coloured fruit.
A beautiful dainty and graceful tree with oriental horizontally-tired branches covered with pink flowers. Dark purple fruit.
Laden with bright red blossoms early in the season. Foliage glossy red all summer and small red fruits in autumn.
Neat upright tree producing attractive, scarlet crab apples.
Smallish, elliptic, yellow fruits that usually persist well after Christmas. Med-sized tree, white flowers in April.
Dwarf variety, with coral pink buds opening to double rose pink flowers. Bronze fruit. Height after 10yrs 2m x 1.5m.
Large, white/pink flowers in April/May. Small red-yellow fruits holding well into winter. Medium height.
A rare variety with white flowers in spring followed by large golden yellow fruit in the autumn.
Abundant white flowers, strongly perfumed. Small yellow fruits. Height after 10 years up to 4m.
Small compact tree. White blossom and large crops of yellow fruit. Height & Spread after 10yr 4m x 3m.