Digging deeperPlant Library

Other Names:  Roseybloom, Crabapple

Description:

Rapidly becoming one of the most popular landscape ornamentals, this gem is bathed in soft pink flowers in spring, dark purple foliage all season long, and a narrowly upright habit of growth; needs well-drained soil and full sun, small fruit aren't messy

Ornamental Features

Thunderchild Flowering Crab is draped in stunning clusters of fragrant lavender flowers with pink overtones along the branches in mid spring, which emerge from distinctive rose flower buds before the leaves. It has attractive deep purple deciduous foliage. The pointy leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding dark red in the fall. The fruits are showy ruby-red pomes carried in abundance from early to mid fall.

Landscape Attributes

Thunderchild Flowering Crab is a deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

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, bees and butterflies to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Suckering
• Disease

Thunderchild Flowering Crab is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade

Planting & Growing

Thunderchild 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.