Plant Library

Other Names:  Roseybloom, Crabapple

Description:

An exceptional accent tree smothered in showy dark pink flowers in spring and persistent bright red fruit in fall, good fall color, spreading habit of growth; the definitive ornamental accent for the home landscape, needs well-drained soil and full sun

Ornamental Features

Indian Summer Flowering Crab is smothered in stunning clusters of fragrant cherry red flowers with lavender overtones along the branches in mid spring, which emerge from distinctive red flower buds before the leaves. It has attractive burgundy-tipped dark green foliage which emerges burgundy in spring. The pointy leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding orange in the fall. The fruits are showy ruby-red pomes carried in abundance from early fall to late winter.

Landscape Attributes

Indian Summer Flowering Crab is a deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Indian Summer Flowering Crab is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade

Planting & Growing

Indian Summer Flowering Crab will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.