Malus hybrids
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- MAY-lus hai-bruhdz
- Description
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Malus hybrids are the result of a cross between parent plants of different varieties or species within the Malus genus. There are four natural hybrids of the Malus genus: x floribunda, x kaido, x soulardii, and x zumi. All of these natural hybrids are crab apples, deciduous shrubs or trees that grow up to 26 feet. They can be very showy for a short period in spring. Their form is usually round with a spreading crown, but they can be vase-shaped. The form varies with subspecies and cultivar.
Malus hybrids tolerate a range of soil types but prefers slightly acidic, moist well-drained soil in full sun. They can be planted as a specimen, in groupings, along borders, or in parks. This tree is frequently damaged by deer and has disease and insect problems. This plant blooms early to mid-spring and is usually self-sterile. Buds are a darker shade than blooms. These trees appear to change color as they cycle through stages of new (reddish) growth, full (pink to white) growth, mature leaves (green), and autumnal color (red-varies). The small fruits ripen in the fall.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
Apple scab can be a problem, look for disease-resistant cultivars.
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaves are serrate and new growth is pinkish-red
- Flowers are on pins and buds are purplish-red and open white-pink
- Fruit is a small apple that ripens in the fall
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Centurion'
- 'Indian Magic'
- 'Indian Summer'
- 'Prairifire'
- 'Robinson'
- 'Royal Raindrops'
- 'Sargent'
- 'Sugar Tyme'
- 'Centurion'
- 'Centurion', 'Indian Magic', 'Indian Summer', 'Prairifire', 'Robinson', 'Royal Raindrops', 'Sargent', 'Sugar Tyme'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Centurion'
- 'Indian Magic'
- 'Indian Summer'
- 'Prairifire'
- 'Robinson'
- 'Royal Raindrops'
- 'Sargent'
- 'Sugar Tyme'
- 'Centurion'
- 'Centurion', 'Indian Magic', 'Indian Summer', 'Prairifire', 'Robinson', 'Royal Raindrops', 'Sargent', 'Sugar Tyme'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Malus
- Species:
- hybrids
- Family:
- Roseaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits attract birds but it is not a favorite food source. 350 species of lepidoptera catepillars feed on this tree which is another food source for birds.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- a range of soil types
- Edibility:
- Eat flowers only in moderation, they contain cyanide precursors. Fruits are edible but must be cooked to be palatable.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 26 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Pome
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are edible pomes, red to yellow to green in color, and have varying diameters. A diameter greater than 2" is classified as an apple, and a diameter equal to or less than that is classified as a crabapple. Fruit can be dulled red-purple (look like a dulled cranberry) with a tan circle ring at the end.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Cyme
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are white to pink to carmine to red to rose in color. They are 5-petaled and bloom in mid to late spring. Petals are small and orbicular to obovate. Flowers have 15-20 stamens, usually with anthers. They have an inferior ovary. Flowers can be single or double. Inflorescence is a corymb or umbel-like raceme on previous year's growth.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are simple, alternate, mostly ovate, 2"-4" long and 2" wide. Serrated margins can be occasionally lobed or incised with acumate to acute apex and yellow fall color. New growth is red and tinged with pink. Malus 'royal raindrops' has leaves are that serrate and have clearly seen veins (in a light-brown, tan, or even reddish-brown color) on top with an underside that is a pale-green.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Scaly
- Bark Description:
- Gray to brown and gets more scaby, blotchy, and rough with age. Malus 'Royal Raindrops' has scaly gray bark that has reddish-gray-brown streaks.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Twigs are alternate, upright, horizontal or drooping.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Recreational Play Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
