Crab Apple (Malus sp.) is a most delightful spring flowering hardy small to medium sized tree with blossoms in white, pink or red followed by small, green, gold or pink apples often used for making jam, jelly and decorations.Compact varieties of crab apples are ideal for home gardens and crab apples add stunning autumn colour in shades of yellow, red, orange and purple.  Suitable to be grown in all climates except in tropical regions.


How to grow Crab Apple in a garden

  1. Choose a position in full sun with well drained soil.
  2. Enrich the soil with Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed and Yates Nature's Way Organic Compost & Soil Improver. If the soil is clay based, add gypsum and fork in well. 
  3. Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container and gently tease the roots.
  4. Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Form a raised ring around the plant, creating a well so that water will go where it’s needed most. Water in well. 
  5. Mulch with an organic mulch like woodchip or pea straw, keeping it away from the base of the plant.
  6. Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
  7. During the growing and flowering season feed with Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food. TIP: for an added boost apply Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate

Growing tips

  • Avoid pruning crab apples, which helps retain their lovely original shape. Remove any dead or over crowded branches during winter. Prune trees to shape and size.

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