Cooking

Malus hupehensis

Chinese Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Chinese Crab Apple, Hupeh Crab or Tea Crab Apple Latin Name: Malus hupehensis or Malus theifera or Pyrus malus theifera.Soil: Moist or well drained; acid, alkali or neutral soil. Position: Full sun to part shade. Flowering period/colour: Spring/White Hardiness: Fully hardy (to below -20°C).Height and spread in 10-20 years: 4-8m/4-8mSpecial features: Pink buds in spring, followed by white fragrant flowers. Red crab apple fruits 1cm width in autumn. RHS Award of Garden Merit. The Queen Elizabeth Maple is an attractive medium sized crab apple tree. It is a deciduous tree, dropping its leaves in autumn. In spring, pink buds appear and they open to fragrant white flowers, about 3cm across. The flowers give rise to crab apple fruits, about 1cm across, providing a pleasing display in the autumn months. This tree carries an RHS Award of Garden Merit, indicating that it is a reliable performer in the garden. This species is best suited to a medium sized garden, being a little too large for a compact space. However, it makes a striking statement in a space that will accommodate its form. For smaller gardens it is worth considering Malus x robusta 'Red Sentinel', Malus tschonoskii, and Malus x zumi 'Golden Hornet'.

Malus Jelly King

Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Jelly King Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus 'Jelly King'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May / WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 5m x 4mSpecial features:  Large, orange-pink fruits ideal for making jelly. Malus 'Jelly King' is a vigorous but compact tree recently introduced to the UK from New Zealand. Large pink buds open in spring to cover the tree with masses of white blossoms. The clusters of large, orange-pink fruits that follow remain on the tree until late winter- unless the birds get to them first. There are many culinary uses for the fruit and it will make an excellent pink jelly.

Malus John Downie

Crab Apple Tree

Latin Name: Malus 'John Downie'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May / WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 5m x 3mSpecial features: Orange and red edible fruit and a fantastic display of autumn leaf colourThe Malus 'John Downie', a distinguished variety of Crab Apple Tree, adds a touch of elegance to any landscape. 

Flourishing in fertile, well-drained soil and adaptable to full sun or partial shade, this Crab Apple Tree is resilient and hardy.In spring, the Malus 'John Downie' showers your space with delicate white blossoms, creating a show-stopping floral scene. 

 Shifting gears to later seasons, this tree provides ornamental fruit, attracting all kinds of wonderful wildlife. The attractive crab apples are a glossy scarlet colour and are almost 'pear shaped’. Plus, the apples make the most fantastic crab apple jelly!The leaves are a fresh green colour when young and mature to deep yellow and burnt orange come autumn. 

With a projected height of 5 metres and a spread of 3 metres in 20 years, the Malus 'John Downie' is a moderate-sized tree that fits well in small gardens and large spaces too.

The Malus ‘John Downie’ delights from spring to autumn! Add it to your outdoor sanctuary today.

Malus Pink Glow

Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus 'Pink Glow' (Dolgo)Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April / WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/ spread: 6m x 5mSpecial features: Big pink fruits in autumn that make good jelly.Malus 'Pink Glow', also known as Dolgo, is an excellent jelly making crab apple. It has beautiful white blossom in spring. The bright crimson fruit is quite large and ripens in early September. It makes an excellent red jelly and the fruits are popular with wildlife too. Pink Glow is disease resistant and a good alternative to John Downie. A fantastic ornamental tree which will add a burst of colour to any garden.

Malus Red Sentinel

Crab Apple Tree

Malus Red Sentinel is a broadly upright deciduous tree, which gardeners love for its ever-changing year round interest. The Crab Apple Red Sentinel jumps into gear in early spring. The bright green leaves emerge and remain green throughout summer before turning golden-yellow in autumn. Spring also brings a scatter of pretty pink-white flowers which cover the tree and contrast beautifully with the green leaves. In autumn the flowers are replaced by small, cherry-like fruits that have a glossy coating. The deep red colours give your garden a real autumnal feel and the fruit also attracts local wildlife. Plus, the ruby-red fruits last through much of winter, making the Malus Red Sentinel a true spectacle all year long. 

The Crab Apple Red Sentinel flourishes in well-drained, fertile soil and is adaptable to full sun or partial shade. It will reach a height of around 5 metres with a spread of about 4 metres over 20 years, making it a great addition to gardens large or small.

 What gardeners also love about the Red Sentinel is that it’s pollution tolerant.Grow a Malus Red Sentinel today and enjoy its year-round show of colour. Common Name: Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus x robusta 'Red Sentinel'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May / WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 20 years: 5m x 4mSpecial features: Large clusters of red fruits which persist all winter.

Malus Rudolph

Crab Apple Tree

Common Name: Rudolph Crab Apple TreeLatin Name: Malus 'Rudolph'Soil: Fertile, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: April / Large pink single flowersHardiness: Fully hardyHeight and spread in 10 years: 4m x 3mSpecial features: Small dark purple fruits.Malus 'Rudolph' was named after the famous Reindeer due to its spectacular red rose flowers which are one of the largest single pink flowers on any Malus variety. It also has attractive dark green/purple leaves during the season making it a good summer tree. The crab apples are small, dark purple and persistent. This small upright tree has a good disease resistance giving a healthy appearance throughout the summer.