Malus coronaria (Sweet Crabapple)

Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic

This native* member of the Rose Family has four-season interest from showy, fragrant spring blooms to a distinctive winter silhouette. It has high wildlife value, attracting a wide variety of pollinators, serving as the host plant for many Lepidoptera, and providing support to birds.

*In the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is native to DC, MD and mostly the mid-section of PA. Its status is undetermined in DE. It is infrequent but widespread in the mountains and inner and northern Piedmont in VA.

Print Version (Legal Size): Malus coronaria (Sweet Crabapple)Tree Height: 15–30 feet Spread: 15–30 feet Bloom Color: White, pink Characteristics Small, densely branched, deciduous tree with a short trunk and broad, irregular crown Ovate, coarsely-toothed leaves, 11⁄2–3 inches long Cymes of fragrant 5-petaled white, pink-tinged flowers in April and May Small, round green pomes mature to yellow in fall and persist into winter Spreads by clonal offsets from runners Attributes Susceptible to numerous pests, like Eastern Tent Caterpillar, and diseases, like cedar-apple rust Deer occasionally to frequently severely damage Fruit can be made into preserves and cider Attracts many insects to flowers; provides nesting, cover, and food for birds; larval host to Red-spotted Purple, Tiger Swallowtail, Viceroy, and many moths Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Well-drained Light Requirements: Sun Water Requirements: Moist Prune by mid-June after blooms fade Provide good air circulation and plant away from Juniperus spp. to prevent foliar and fruit diseases Use as a specimen, screen, espalier Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–7 Excellent Replacement for Malus baccata - Siberian Crabapple *In the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is native to DC, MD and mostly the mid-section of PA. Its status is undetermined in DE. It is infrequent but widespread in the mountains and inner and northern Piedmont in VA.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: Tried and True Plant Fact Sheets