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Malus hybrids

Phonetic Spelling
MAY-lus hai-bruhdz
Description

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:
  • 'Centurion'
  • 'Indian Magic'
  • 'Indian Summer'
  • 'Prairifire'
  • 'Robinson'
  • 'Royal Raindrops'
  • 'Sargent'
  • 'Sugar Tyme'
'Centurion', 'Indian Magic', 'Indian Summer', 'Prairifire', 'Robinson', 'Royal Raindrops', 'Sargent', 'Sugar Tyme'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#edible plant#specimen#white flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#spring flowers#fall interest#flowering tree#playground plant#edible fruits#border planting#spring interest#fantz#parks#small group plantings#bird friendly#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Centurion'
  • 'Indian Magic'
  • 'Indian Summer'
  • 'Prairifire'
  • 'Robinson'
  • 'Royal Raindrops'
  • 'Sargent'
  • 'Sugar Tyme'
'Centurion', 'Indian Magic', 'Indian Summer', 'Prairifire', 'Robinson', 'Royal Raindrops', 'Sargent', 'Sugar Tyme'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#edible plant#specimen#white flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#spring flowers#fall interest#flowering tree#playground plant#edible fruits#border planting#spring interest#fantz#parks#small group plantings#bird friendly#wildlife friendly
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Twigs are alternate, upright, horizontal or drooping.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Recreational Play Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Flowering Tree
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Songbirds