As the garden settles into autumn, Crab Apples (Malus) shine with a second season of beauty.
While well-loved for their abundant spring blossom, many ornamental crab apples also offer a dazzling autumn show, with glossy, jewel-like fruits that persist into winter and support garden wildlife.
Among the standout performers is Malus ‘Scarlet Brandywine’—a variety that impresses on two fronts. Its dense, double pink flowers make a lush spring display, while its productive fruiting habit delivers rich colour and texture in autumn, holding firm into the colder months.
Crab apples also offer remarkable versatility in form, making them suitable for gardens of all sizes and styles.
Choose from:
- Columnar or compact upright trees for narrow spaces (e.g. Malus ‘Laura’)
- Dwarf varieties perfect for containers and patios (e.g. Malus ‘Adirondack’)
- Graceful weeping or umbrella-shaped forms as ornamental focal points (e.g.Malus ‘Sun Rival’)
- Trees that can be trained as espaliers, fans, or cordons, ideal for walls and fences
Whether you’re adding spring charm, autumn interest, or looking to shape a tree to fit your garden’s design, there’s a crab apple to suit every setting.
Growing and Caring for Crab Apples
Crab apples are relatively low maintenance and adaptable, but they’ll thrive best when planted in full sun and in moist but well-drained soil. Most varieties are hardy and resistant to common pests and diseases when kept in good condition.
Pruning is generally minimal. When required, because most crab apple cultivars flower on wood of all ages, the ideal time to prune is immediately after flowering. This allows you to lightly shape the tree without sacrificing next season’s blooms. For trained forms, such as espaliers or cordons, summer pruning helps to control growth and encourage fruiting.
Autumn is a great time to plant new trees, giving roots a chance to establish over winter.
If you’re thinking about adding seasonal structure, wildlife value, and visual interest to your garden, crab apples are a perfect choice.
