Sweet crab apple (Malus coronaria)

Sweet crab apple

Also known as: Garland crabapple, Wild sweet crabapple

Leaves: Alternate, simple, ovate, 8 to 10 cm long, 4 to 5 cm broad, obtuse, subcordate or acute at base, incisely serrate, often three-lobed on vigorous shoots, acute at apex. Feather-veined, midrib and primary veins grooved above, prominent beneath. They come out of the bud involute, red bronze, tomentose and downy; when full grown are bright dark green above, paler beneath.

Scientific classification

Species

Sweet crab apple (Malus coronaria)

Roses, elms, figs, and allies

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Perennial

Lifespan

Tree, Shrub

Plant Type

Spring, Early summer

Bloom Time

4.5 m to 9 m

Plant Height

6 m to 9 m

Spread

Green, Yellow, Gold

Leaf Color

2.5 cm to 5 cm

Flower Size

Green, Yellow, Gold

Fruit Color

White, Pink

Flower Color

Red, Brown, Burgundy

Stem Color

Images of Sweet crab apple

Cultivars

There are several recognized cultivars of Sweet crab apple, including the following common varieties :

Sweet crab apple 'Charlottae'

Quickly Identify Sweet crab apple

Fragrant pink-tinged white blossoms in May, transforming to small yellow-green fruit.

Ovate yellow-green leaves with toothed margins and shallow clefts.

Reddish-gray stems with thorns, branching pattern up to 2-3 feet (60-90 cm).

Distinctive rough reddish gray-brown bark with longitudinal scales.

Symmetrical 1-1½ inch (2.5-3.8 cm) flowers with fading pink-to-white petals.

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Care Guide for Sweet crab apple

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

Full sun

Sunlight

5 - 32 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Garden Soil

Soil Type

Water: Sweet crab apple thrives in conditions resembling its natural habitat, with intermittent rainfall and dry periods. It has moderate drought tolerance and requires watering every 1-2 weeks. Seasonal rainfall impacts its outdoor watering schedule, especially during the growing season when water needs may rise.

Fertilize: For sweet crab apple, use balanced fertilizers biannually for optimal growth. Apply in spring to enhance flowering and in fall for root support, following package instructions. Water soil before fertilizing to prevent root burn, and reduce feeding during winter dormancy to avoid over-fertilization.

Pruning: Sweet crab apple produces fragrant flowers and tart fruit, benefiting from early spring pruning to remove damaged branches and enhance airflow. Regular thinning fosters healthier fruit and disease prevention. Use sharp, clean tools for minimal stress, balancing the removal of older wood with the preservation of young shoots.

Propagation: Sweet crab apple is a deciduous tree valued for its fragrant flowers and apple-like fruits. Effective propagation includes seed sowing and grafting for maintaining cultivar traits. Stratifying seeds simulates winter conditions for improved germination, while well-drained soil and adequate moisture support seedling growth.

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