ROYALTY crabapple - malus
Regular price
$75.00
Shipping calculated at checkout
Out of stock
Need more? Contact us
🌳 ‘ROYALTY’ CRAB APPLE TREE (Malus ‘Royalty’)
🌿 Identity
- Scientific name: Malus ‘Royalty’
- Common name: ‘Royalty’ crab apple tree
- Family: Rosaceae
- Plant type: Ornamental tree with decorative flowers and fruit
📐 Main characteristics
| Characteristic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Adult height | Approximately 5 to 6 m (≈ 15-20 ft) |
| Width/Spread | Approximately 5 to 6 m |
| Habit | Erect to rounded, overall “globe” or “rounded” shape |
| Foliage | Purple/purple-violet leaves in summer, turning red-purple in fall. |
| Flowering | Spring (April-May): bright red-purple/purple flowers. |
| Fruits | Small dark red/purple pome fruits (≈ 1.6 cm) that often persist into winter. |
| Exposure | Full sun recommended. |
| Soil & conditions | Well-drained, medium to moderately moist soil, tolerates various soil types. |
| Hardiness zone | At least zone 4 (cold hardy) according to several sources. |
| Disease resistance | Good in some cases, but notable susceptibility to certain pests/diseases (ex.: fire blight) reported. |
🌼 Ornamental interest
- The dark purple foliage lasts all summer long and makes a strong visual impact in the garden.
- Spectacular spring blooms with reddish-purple flowers appear before or at the same time as the foliage.
- Dark decorative fruits remain visible in fall and winter, often attracting birds.
- Excellent choice as a specimen tree or focal point in a garden thanks to its shape and colors.
- Well suited to cold climates—an advantage for regions such as Quebec.
🧰 Care & Maintenance
Planting
- Choose a location in full sun for optimal foliage and flowering.
- Dig a sufficiently large hole, loosen the soil, and add compost if necessary.
- Place mulch around the base (without touching the trunk) to retain initial moisture.
Regular care
- Water regularly during the first year to establish the roots. After that, water during dry periods.
- Light pruning: remove dead, poorly oriented, or very crowded branches, preferably at the end of winter before vegetative growth begins.
- Dark foliage is an asset, so avoid excessive pruning to preserve this effect.
Diseases & pests
- Although robust, some sources indicate that this variety is susceptible to fire blight.
- Ensure good air circulation around the tree and avoid excessive moisture stagnating on the ground.
- Apply preventive measures if the disease has already been reported in the area.
⚠️ Points to note
- Although the tree remains moderate in size, allow sufficient space for its width (~5-6 m) so that it can flourish freely.
- The fruit is decorative but not necessarily intended for consumption.
- The purple foliage is an asset, but may fade if the tree is planted in shade—prefer full sun.
- If disease (fire blight) is a concern in your area, consider alternatives or monitor carefully.
