Standout Crab Apple Trees for Vibrant Hues and Distinctive Shapes

In the world of horticulture, few trees capture the imagination quite like the crab apple. These compact, hardy trees offer a delightful spectacle of colour, fragrance, and resilience, making them a popular choice for gardens across the globe.

One such standout variety is Malus x robusta 'Red Sentinel'. This tree boasts fragrant white spring flowers that emerge from pale pink buds, giving way to large, glossy, deep-red fruits that last almost until spring. The tree's autumn foliage is a vibrant yellow, and it boasts impressive disease resistance, growing to a height of 8m.

Another captivating crab apple is Malus 'Wisley Crab'. Known for its rich, purplish-pink flowers against purple-tinted green foliage, it produces purplish-red fruit, which are red inside and the size of a small eating apple. Reaching a height of 3m, it's an ideal choice for smaller gardens.

For those seeking a taller tree, Malus 'Harry Baker' might be just the ticket. With huge purplish-pink flowers opening against purple foliage that fades to green, it produces ruby-red fruits. Its good disease resistance makes it a reliable choice, and it's particularly noted for its exceptional crab apple jelly. 'Harry Baker' grows to a height of 5m.

Malus 'Indian Magic' is another tall variety, reaching 5m in height. Its deep-pink flowers open from even darker buds, later giving way to small, rather elongated orange fruits that become red and last well into winter. Its disease resistance is good, making it a robust addition to any garden.

The pink flower buds of Malus x zumi 'Professor Sprenger' fade to blush before opening white, followed by scented flowers and amber fruits that deepen to orange. This tree also benefits from yellow autumn foliage and exceptional disease resistance, growing to a height of 6m.

Malus 'Comtesse de Paris' is a smaller variety, reaching 4m in height. It offers white flowers followed by golden-yellow fruits that last into winter.

Malus toringo 'Scarlett' is a unique crab apple with pink spring flowers, long-lasting purple fruits, and leaves that are purple as they unfurl then mature to fiery orange and yellow in autumn. Its slightly weeping growth adds to its appeal, and it grows to a height of 4m.

In the heart of Europe, cities with national collections of crab apple trees, including crab apple trees, are not explicitly listed. However, regions such as Baden-Württemberg, northern Bavaria, and the Rhineland are noted for significant traditional orchard landscapes (Streuobstwiesen), which often include various apple varieties.

Three institutions in the UK hold National Collections of crab apple trees: Brogdale Collections, Barnards Farm, and Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre. These collections serve as vital repositories for the preservation and study of these fascinating and beautiful trees.

Whether you're seeking a small tree for a courtyard or a taller specimen for a larger garden, crab apples offer a diverse range of options to suit any space. Their vibrant colours, fragrant flowers, and resilience make them a delightful addition to any garden.