Digging deeperPlant Library

Other Names:  Roseybloom, Crabapple

Description:

Bright pinkish red flowers combine with deep purple cutleaf foliage to present a stunning crabtree; excellent upright form, branching and density; demonstrates great resistance to the common diseases

Ornamental Features

Royal Raindrops Flowering Crab is covered in stunning clusters of fragrant rose flowers along the branches in mid spring before the leaves. It has attractive deep purple deciduous foliage. The deeply cut lobed leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding scarlet in the fall. The fruits are showy red pomes carried in abundance from mid summer to early fall.

Landscape Attributes

Royal Raindrops Flowering Crab is a deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds and bees to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Messy
• Suckering
• Disease

Royal Raindrops Flowering Crab is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Royal Raindrops Flowering Crab will grow to be about 18 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.

Important Pruning Information

Crabapples should only be pruned when dormant to reduce the risk of spreading bacterial infection. Fireblight can be a problem on crabapples. Please consult our nursery staff for more information on management practices.