Help with choosing a crabapple ?

Hello,

Are there any crabapple tree fans out there? This may not be a particularly interesting question to the more sophisticated users of this forum, but I am interested in recommendations regarding a crabapple that would be suitable to put into a smallish planter (in the ground) that won't get too big. I am thinking crabapple because I live in Z5 and need something that will stay fairly small. I am putting in a retaining wall around my smallish backyard and would like to put something on either side of the walkway. Any suggestions ? Or even any ideas of where to look? Thanks !

you know- there are some lovely pictures and a few miniature crabapples offered at Klehm's Songsparrow nursery. I have ordered from them before and been happy with their trees- http://www.songsparrow.com./ It's good to take time to find one that you like- researching what it's like when it's not in bloom too- fall color, fruit, the ultimate shape (ie, vase like, spreading, weeping) so you can get something that fits your spot. Crabapple is a good choice for zone 5a, if you want lots of flowers- there are a few that are susceptible to disease.... Michael Dirr's book might be helpful, but he tends to like things that grow in warmer zones!

sjms offers sage (Salvia?) advice. Song Sparrow is exceptional.

I have grown a lot of crabapples around here in KY; I am currently testing about 15 or so of Song Sparrow's offerings to see how they do down here in the humid South. Many of Song Sparrow's offerings were selections generated by the venerable late Father John Fiala. These wonderful trees were selected for disease resistance; great flowering and fruiting; and generally smaller forms though he often went for pendulous to weeping habits as well.

Crabapples are one of those ubiquitous small trees that are often passed by in the quest for all that is rare and difficult. The newer quality selections are rewarding in ALL seasons, and generally are effortless to grow. They may not be for every landscape, but they certainly could be.

2sequoyah:

I urge you to take a stroll through the PlantFiles, where there is a wealth of information about the genus Malus. I'll make it no secret that I've offered up my experiences on many of these choices. I have quite a bit more to add in that regard too.

Malus Sargentii "Tina" is very, very nice and one of the smallest. Heavy bloom, nice branching, good friut for the birds and nice winter interest as well. http://www.sunleaf.com/products/malussargenttina.htm (Web site is for images only, I have never used them.)This is my only experience with Malus. Be sure to check the Plant Files for other cultivars.

Sequoyah,

I don't have a whole lot to add but if your area is really small you may ask the nursery where you buy the plant if they know what rootstock the tree is grafted on to. Chances are that they won't but it never hurts to ask. If my memory is correct, there are 2 common rootstocks used, Malus domestica and Malling Merton 111 aka MM111. MM111 is more dwarfing than Malus domestica and would suit your spot better. I've seen 'Tina' grafted onto something not dwarfing and was growing like a weed, 15' across. Other good plants are 'Lollipop', 'Satin Cloud', 'Lancelot', 'Adirondack', and 'Royal Gem'. There are others but it's too early in the morning to remember :-)


Good Luck,
Ernie

Sekoi-ya,

You might check your library or bookstore for the book: Flowering Crabapples, by Fr. John L. Fiala. It is published by Timber Press in 1994. Although it is missing a few of the newer cultivars, it is a masterwork, offering descriptions and photographs of the vast majority of cultivars. A lot of the cultivars are no longer available or are very difficult to find, but it will almost certainly prove helpful to read up on the cultivars you can find available in the book.

Also, it may have been noted above, but crabs are very regional in their susceptibility to diseases. Most state university's have done studies rating crabapple resistance to diseases, cultivar by cultivar, and have published the results. Usually, the easiest, best place to obtain the names for really good, regionally-based crabapple cultivars is through your county's agricultural extension office. These people are paid by the state to distribute up-to-date scientifically-based information to any farmer, gardener, or any taxpayer that seeks it. I've found that every extension agent I've met is eager to assist.

Scott

Thank you all, this is great information to get started with. I checked out the songsparrow website; great place. I think that what I am looking for is the smaller rootstock, for the small planting space I'll have, but a more upright tree since it won't have alot of room to spread out. I have two Prairiefire trees right now and I really like their shape. Crabapples do seem to grow well here (in eastern WA) but it would be a good idea to check with an agricultural extension office. Great ideas and places to look, thanks !

Washington Park Arboretum (University of Washington Arboretum) in Seattle is the only Washington state collection noted in Fr. Fiala's fine text. You can find them here: http://depts.washington.edu/wpa/general.htm

VV, do you grow many apples? How good are the newer disease resistant varieties? Do they live up to their billing. I have always been reluctant to try. Don't want to have to spray and otherwise babysit it. I have only grown two columnar types. There is nothing like a freshly picked apple - or any fruit for that matter. Last year was my first good crop of paw paw and man were they good!

ViburnumValley, I was interested in your post in PlantFiles on the cranberry lace - it might be just the ticket - but then I got distracted by your post on the Hearts of Gold red bud! What I need is something that a) can grow in an enclosed space, and b) grows upward rather than spreads. It can be a little difficult for me to tell what is meant by some of the shape descriptions of crabapples; for example, my two prairiefire crabs are what I would consider to be "upright." Is that how you would characterize the cranberry lace? How about the red bud?

VG:

There are a couple of seedling apples out in the Valley, originating from cores pitched out after consumption. Not much to write to Stony Point about, though david5311 might appreciate that they make great scaffolds for clematis. I might even name one of them Scabby Jackmanii™.

I'm in your camp about excessive levels of maintenance/chemicals. This is one reason why I haven't planted typical fruit trees. We are also blessed with four fine orchards within seed-spitting distance. You'll have to keep scouting to find the orchard enthusiasts for ratings, or refer to your state extension service (which is top notch). Can't do much better than checking Cornell.

2seq:

You would have to pick one of the crabapples that I only have an image of in my mind. Sorry, no grownup pics to show of 'Cranberry Lace'. My plants are young and are not going to provide the info you want.

I'll cogitate on this a bit, and return.