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Sargent’s crabapple

Malus sargentii

Common names:
Sargent’s crabapple, Sargents crabapple

Content Detail

This 6 to 10 foot dwarf crabapple can be considered a compact tree or large shrub. In spring,  pink buds open to a profusion of fragrant, white flower clusters. The persistent, 1/3 inch red fruits attract birds and other wildlife. The foliage is dark green, turns yellow in the fall, and contrasts nicely with the red fruit. An excellent choice for the shrub border, en masse, or near patios.

  • Family (English) Rose
  • Family (botanic) Rosaceae
  • Tree or plant type Tree, Shrub
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range Medium shrub (5-8 feet), Large shrub (more than 8 feet), Compact tree (10-15 feet), Small tree (15-25 feet)
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
  • Soil preference Acid soil, Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Alkaline soil, clay soil, Dry sites, Occasional drought, Occasional flooding
  • Season of interest early winter, midwinter, mid spring, mid fall, late fall
  • Flower color and fragrance Fragrant, Pink, White
  • Shape or form Broad, Multi-stemmed, Upright
  • Growth rate Moderate

Size & form: 

At 6 to 10 feet high and 6 to 12 feet wide, Sargent’s crabapple can be a compact tree or multi-stemmed shrub. The zigzag, horizontal branches form a densely spreading crown that exceeds the height as the plant matures.

Native geographic location and habitat:

This plant is native to Japan.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

Simple, alternate, dark green leaves vary in shape, either with or without three lobes. Yellow fall color contrasts nicely with persistent fruit.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size: 

Pale pink buds open up to clusters of fragrant white flowers. Flowers profusely, often in alternate years. 

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

Persistent, 1/3 to 1/2 inch red crabapples.

Plant Care:

Best planted in full sun, Sargent’s crabapple is pH adaptable and tolerant of occasional wet or dry soils. Prune after flowering.

List of pests, diseases, and tolerances:

Powdery mildew and Japanese beetles are potential problems for this crabapple variety. This plant has excellent resistance to diseases such as apple scab, mildew, and cedar-apple rust. It also has good resistance to fire blight and some resistance to Japanese beetles.

Tina crabapple ( Malus sargentii ‘Tina’):

Not always recognized as a Sargent’s crabapple cultivar, this compact, low spreading form reaches 3 to 4 feet high and 5 to 6 feet wide. White flowers bloom in spring. The red fruit is persistent. Tina has good disease resistance.

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