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Malus ‘Thunderchild’ (Crabapple)

Crabapple 'Thunderchild', Crab Apple 'Thunderchild'

Malus 'Thunderchild', Crabapple 'Thunderchild', Crab Apple 'Thunderchild', Fragrant Tree, Red fruit, red berries, Winter fruits, Pink flowers,
Malus 'Thunderchild', Crabapple 'Thunderchild', Crab Apple 'Thunderchild', Fragrant Tree, Red fruit, red berries, Winter fruits, Pink flowers,
Malus 'Thunderchild', Crabapple 'Thunderchild', Crab Apple 'Thunderchild', Fragrant Tree, Red fruit, red berries, Winter fruits, Pink flowers,

Malus ‘Thunderchild’ is a compact, upright deciduous tree with a long season of interest. Opening from rose flower buds, masses of fragrant, dark pink flowers appear in mid-spring, before the leaves. Draped in clusters along the branches, they are truly a sight to behold. The stunning blossoms are followed by abundant ruby-red fruits, 0.4 in. (1 cm), attractive to birds, and messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways. The foliage of pointy, deep purple summer leaves turns a beautiful dark red in the fall. Exceptionally hardy, this flowering crabapple has excellent resistance to fire blight, powdery mildew, and cedar-apple rust (but is sensible to apple scab).

  • Grows up to 15-20 ft. tall (4-6 m) and 10-15 ft. wide (3-4 m).
  • 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 to remove damaged, diseased, or misplaced growth.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 7
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A3
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Rosaceae
Genus Malus - Crab Apple
Common names Crab Apple
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height 15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m)
Spread 10' - 15' (3m - 4.6m)
Spacing 240" (6.1m)
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, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Small Gardens
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 ‘White Angel’ (Crabapple)
Malus x floribunda (Japanese Crabapple)

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Malus (Crab Apple)
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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 3 - 7
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A3
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Rosaceae
Genus Malus - Crab Apple
Common names Crab Apple
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height 15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m)
Spread 10' - 15' (3m - 4.6m)
Spacing 240" (6.1m)
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, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Malus (Crab Apple)
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Malus (Crab Apple)
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