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Malus x floribunda (Japanese Crabapple)

Showy Crabapple, Japanese Flowering Crabapple, Japanese Crab, Pyrus floribunda

AGM Award
Malus × floribunda, Showy Crabapple, Japanese Flowering Crabapple, Japanese Crab, Pyrus floribunda, Fragrant Tree, Red fruit, red berries, Winter fruits, White Flowers

One of the most beautiful flowering crabapple species, Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) is a stunning deciduous tree, creating a broad, rounded, densely-branched canopy. Opening from red buds, masses of fragrant, single, pale pink blossoms, fading to a glistening white, appear in mid-spring. The blooms are followed by small fruits, 1/2 in. (1.2 cm), their faces endowed with blushing red cheeks. Not very showy, they can be harvested to make jellies – unless eagerly eaten by birds. They usually do not persist beyond fall. The foliage of narrow, serrate, dark green leaves turns red and yellow in the fall. Slightly susceptible to powdery mildew and moderately susceptible to fire blight. A spectacular specimen tree that needs room to display its beauty.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows up to 15-20 ft. tall (450-600 cm) and 20-30 ft. wide (600-900 cm).
  • A full sun lover, this tree is easily grown in moderately fertile, well-drained soils. Once established, it is drought tolerant.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant, in city gardens or cottage gardens.
  • Require only minimal pruning in late winter or spring to remove damaged, diseased, or misplaced growth.
  • Propagate by seed sown in a seedbed in autumn or by chip budding in late summer. Grafting can be carried out in midwinter.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Native to Japan

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A3
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Rosaceae
Genus Malus - Crab Apple
Common names Crab Apple, Japanese Crab
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 15' - 20'
(4.6m - 6.1m)
Spread 20' - 30'
(6.1m - 9.1m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Malus ioensis ‘Plena’ (Betchel’s Crabapple)
Malus coronaria (American Crabapple)
Malus ioensis ‘Prince Georges’ (Crabapple)
Malus coronaria var. dasycalyx ‘Charlottae’ (American Crabapple)
Malus × zumi var. calocarpa (Redbud Crabapple)
Malus ‘Purple Prince’ (Crabapple)

Recommended Companion Plants

Anemone blanda ‘White Splendour’ (Grecian Windflower)
Crocus vernus ‘Pickwick’ (Dutch Crocus)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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Malus (Crab Apple)
35 Best Flowering Trees for a Spectacular Garden Display
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Flowering Crabapples with Persistent Fruit
Great Companion Plants For Your Flowering Crabapples
Best Flowering Crabapples for New England
Best Flowering Crabapples for the Mid-Atlantic Region
Best Flowering Crabapples for the Pacific Northwest Region
Best Flowering Crabapples for Southern Gardens
Best Flowering Crabapples for Midwestern Gardens
Native Plant Alternatives to Malus hupehensis (Tea Crabapple)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A3
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Rosaceae
Genus Malus - Crab Apple
Common names Crab Apple, Japanese Crab
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 15' - 20'
(4.6m - 6.1m)
Spread 20' - 30'
(6.1m - 9.1m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Malus (Crab Apple)
Guides with
Malus (Crab Apple)
Not sure which Malus (Crab Apple) to pick?
Compare Now

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