Malus sylvestris
crab apple
A small, rounded tree, about 9m tall, with mid-green leaves to 8cm long and clusters of pink-tinged white flowers to 5cm across in late spring, followed by yellow-green, sometimes red-flushed fruits 2-3cm across
Other common names
European applewild crab
Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green Gold | Red Green Yellow | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
Correct
- Plant range
- Europe, Turkey
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun, will tolerate partial shade. Ideal specimen trees for small gardens
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in a seedbed in autumn or by chip budding in late summer. Grafting can be carried out in midwinter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildflower meadow
- Wildlife gardens
- Edible fruit
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, woolly aphid, fruit tree red spider mite and caterpillars
Diseases
May be susceptible to apple scab, honey fungus, apple canker, fireblight, blossom wilt and Powdery mildews
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.