Malus

Malus - New Zealand’s Best Crab-Apple Trees

Growing colourful trees in your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They are visual plants that add impact to a space
• They attract birds and bees
• Street appeal can be greatly enhanced
• They can provide shelter and screening
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come

We have the largest variety of crab apple trees and the right one for your space. Our trees have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We grow and stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them locally, and from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Malus trees, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Common questions about growing Malus

1. What is the English name for Malus?

The English name for Malus is apple tree. Malus is the scientific genus name for all apple trees, including both cultivated and wild varieties. There are over 7,500 different cultivars of apples grown around the world, with a wide range of flavors, textures, and colors.

Crabapple trees are also members of the Malus genus. Crabapples are smaller and sourer than cultivated apples, but they are still edible and can be used in cooking and baking. Crabapple trees are also popular ornamental trees due to their beautiful flowers and fruit.

2. Does Malus like sun or shade?

Malus trees prefer full sun, but they can tolerate some shade. For best flowering and fruiting, they should receive at least six hours of sunlight per day.

3. Can you eat fruit from Malus?

Yes, you can eat fruit from Malus trees. Both cultivated apples and crabapples are edible, although crabapples are typically too sour to eat raw. Crabapples are often used in cooking and baking, and they can also be made into jams, jellies, and other preserves.

4. Why is apple called Malus?

The scientific name for the domesticated apple, Malus domestica, comes from the Latin word "malum", meaning "apple". The term "domestica" (from the Latin "domesticus" = home, indigenous) is added to the name of fruit trees cultivated in close proximity to homes. It is thought that the Latin word "malum" may have ultimately come from the Greek word "malon", also meaning "apple". However, the exact origins of the word are still unknown.

It is interesting to note that the Latin word "malum" also has the meaning of "evil" or "bad". This is why the apple is often used as a symbol of temptation and sin in Western culture.

5. What are the drawbacks to crabapple trees?

Crabapple trees are beautiful and versatile trees that can provide many benefits to your landscape. However, there are also a few drawbacks to consider:

• Crabapples produce small and sour fruits that can be messy when they fall to the ground. The fruit can also attract pests, such as wasps and flies.
• Crabapple trees are susceptible to a number of diseases, including fire blight, apple scab, and powdery mildew. These diseases can damage the tree's leaves, fruit, and branches.
• Crabapple trees can root sucker, which means that they send up new shoots from their roots.

6. How fast growing are crabapple trees?

Crabapple trees have a moderate growth rate, growing between 30-60 cm per year. Some varieties, such as the European crabapple (Malus sylvestris), can grow up to 75 cm per year. They typically reach their mature height within 10-15 years. However, it may take several years for a young crabapple tree to begin flowering and fruiting heavily.

The growth rate of a crabapple tree can be affected by a number of factors:

• Variety: Some varieties of Crabapple trees grow faster than others.
• Climate: Crabapple trees grow best in cool, temperate climates.
• Soil: They prefer a well-drained soil.
• Water: They need regular watering, especially during the first year after planting.
• Fertilizer: Crabapple trees benefit from feeding in spring.

If you are looking for a fast-growing crabapple tree, consider planting a variety such as the European crabapple or the flowering crabapple (Malus floribunda).

7. Can I plant a crabapple tree next to my house?

You can plant a crabapple tree next to your house, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Choose the right variety. Some varieties of crabapple trees are smaller and more compact than others. These varieties are a better choice for planting near a house. Some good options include:

• Royal Gem
• Red Jade
• Centurion
• Sugar Tyme
• Prairiefire
• Whitney

Plant the tree at the right distance from the house. Crabapple trees can grow to be quite large, so it is important to plant them at least 3 m away from the house. This will give the tree enough room to grow without damaging the foundations or roof.

Be careful of the root system. Crabapple trees have a shallow root system, so it is important to be careful when planting them near paths, driveways, and other paved surfaces. The roots can damage these surfaces if they are not given enough room to spread.

Maintain the tree properly. Crabapple trees need regular watering and fertiliser, especially during the first few years after planting. They also need to be pruned regularly to remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches.

8. What is the best crab apple tree for a small garden?

The best crabapple tree for a small garden is one that is compact and has a narrow growth habit. Some good options that can also be kept smaller with trimming include:

• Malus 'Prairiefire'. This crabapple tree is known for its stunning red flowers and bright red fruit. It grows to be about 5-6 m tall and wide.
• Malus 'Red Jade'. This crabapple tree has a narrow, upright growth habit and produces clusters of deep pink flowers in spring. The fruit is bright red and ripens in autumn. Red Jade grows to be about 5-6 m tall and 3-5 m wide.
• Malus 'Royal Gem'. This tree has a compact, rounded growth habit and produces clusters of white flowers in spring followed by deep red fruit. Royal Gem grows to be about 4-5 m tall and wide.
• Malus 'Centurion'. This tree is known for its long-lasting red flowers and bright red fruit. It has a narrow, upright growth habit and grows to about 5-6 m tall and 3-5 m wide.
• Malus 'Sugar Tyme'. This tree has a compact and rounded growth habit, and produces clusters of white flowers in spring. The fruit in autumn is yellow-red. Sugar Tyme grows to be about 3-5 m tall and wide.
• Malus 'Whitney'. This crabapple tree is known for its abundant white flowers and yellow fruit. It has a narrow, upright growth habit and grows to be about 5-6 m tall and 3-5 m wide.