Malus coronaria

RHS Plant Profile
American crab apple

Other common names

garland crab apple, sweet scented crab apple, sweet-scented crab, wild sweet crab

Plants for pollinators
Trees

A deciduous crab apple tree, with a spreading habit and oval-shaped, toothed green leaves that are tinted red when young and turn shades of orange and red in autumn. Large, fragrant pale pink single flowers are produced in late spring, sometimes fading to white; these are followed in autumn by green or greenish yellow fruits

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus
Malus are small to medium-sized deciduous trees with showy flowers in spring and ornamental or edible fruit in autumn; some have good autumn foliage colour
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, deep, moist, loamy soil in a sunny position; will tolerate partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by hardwood cuttings or by grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, including rosy apple aphid and woolly aphid, apple sawfly, fruit tree red spider mite, codling moth, apple leaf-mining moth and other caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to apple canker, rust diseases, blossom wilt, brown rot, fireblight, honey fungus and powdery mildews. This species has some resistance to apple scab