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By Nick Kreevich, Arboretum cartographer and plant recorder
Did you know that the University of Minnesota is responsible for the introduction of multiple cultivars of cold hardy crabapples into the plant trade? The University of Minnesota fruit breeding program is actually over 100 years old, established in 1888. The first crabapple introduction in 1949, ‘Chestnut’, is known for its large crabapples that are best eaten fresh or used in a sauce. Following ‘Chestnut,’ the university introduced ‘Northland’ and ‘Centennial’ in 1957.
Enough talk about fruit, though – it is finally spring and the crabapples are starting to bloom! While we all love a good display of crabapple fruit in the late summer through fall, there is something special about seeing the short-lived sea of blossoms that create waves on the knolls in our Crabapple Collection in early to mid-May. With close to 400 individual plants and over 100 cultivars, some of our living specimens date back to plantings from the late 1950s. The sheer variety, best appreciated during peak bloom, provides flowers ranging in colors from white, cream, pink, magenta, red, and burgundy. I am not blushing – the crabapples are blushing!
During our 2021 Season of Trees, the Arboretum is offering multiple self-guided tree tours and treks, including one in our Crabapple Collection. Launched on May 1 and running until the end of the month, this self-guided tour provides visitors with a short mini-activity, descriptions of the cultivar, and photos of each tree featured in the tour. To access the self-guided tour, please use our digital map. You can also use our plant finder to locate a specific species or cultivar of crabapple to see it in person and decide whether or not it will work in your own garden or landscape.
The bloom period for crabapples can be short-lived, and it only takes a small heatwave to knock out the delicate blooms, so make sure to come by in the next couple of weeks to enjoy the show. Come back in the fall and winter to see the interest that crabapples can provide for multiple seasons.
In the meantime, check out the cultivars listed below that were selected by the Arboretum horticulture staff as favorites for the home garden or landscape. You can also find out more information on apple scab, the most common disease of crabapple trees in Minnesota, through the University of Minnesota Extension.
Malus ‘Adirondack’
The USDA gives this crabapple the near-perfect distinction due to its disease resistance and ornamental value. Forming an upright-branched growth habit (looks like an upside-down broom), this crabapple screams for attention when in bloom, with large white flowers bursting out of deep pink buds. This cultivar is in our Cloistered Herb Garden and Crabapple Collection.
Malus ‘Prairifire’
Producing dark pink flowers, the ‘Prairifire’ crabapple grows into a broad-rounded habit as it matures. After flowering, the newly pushed foliage appears red, but will eventually change to a dark green as the season progresses. Like all crabapple trees, ‘Prairiefire’ provides an excellent food source for wildlife, and this particular cultivar produces dark-red fruit for ornamental interest after the blooming period. This cultivar is in our Crabapple Collection and Sensory Garden.
Malus ‘Donald Wyman’
Known as one of the larger crabapple cultivars, ‘Donald Wyman’ will grow to heights of up to 20 feet and create a spread of up to 20 feet. In the spring, ‘Donald Wyman’ will give you a show with bright white blooms that also produce a sweet fragrance. Another highly disease resistant cultivar, ‘Donald Wyman’ is the winner of the Gold Medal award of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the Cary Aware, which promotes plants with outstanding value for New England gardens. This cultivar is in our Crabapple Collection and the main parking lot across from the Oswald Visitor Center.
Malus ‘Red Splendor’
Another large crabapple, ‘Red Splendor’ can reach heights of up to 25 feet and is mostly grown for its showy pink flowers and attractive, red fruit. Popular as a street tree, ‘Red Splendor’ matures into a symmetrically rounded and spreading canopy. Along with the fruit, the leaves provide excellent fall interest as they turn to a deep burgundy color. This cultivar is in our Crabapple Collection, on the backside of the Oswald Visitor Center, and at the highpoint of the Harrison Sculpture Garden.