Malus 'Prairifire'
crab apple 'Prairifire'
A medium-sized, spreading tree to about 6m with arching branches. Leaves open dark red, maturing to dark reddish-green with red veins. Vibrant, deep pink flowers are produced in mid-spring, followed by small, roundish, deep purple-red fruit
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink | Red | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Red | Red | ||
| Autumn | Green Red | Red | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Potentially harmful
- Although generally edible when cooked, seeds contain toxins so these should be removed if you are considering eating the fruit, usually grown as an ornamental shrub. see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile soil; will tolerate partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by chip budding in late summer or grafting in mid-winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, woolly aphid, fruit tree red spider mite and caterpillars
Diseases
May be susceptible to apple canker, powdery mildews, fireblight and honey fungus; said to be resistant to apple scab
Get involved
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