Malus sargentii
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Tried and True Recommended by 8 Professionals
Common Name: Sargent crabapple
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Rosaceae
Zone: 4 to 7
Native Range: Japan
Garden Location: The Fragrance Garden, Bank of America Family Vegetable Garden
Height: 6 to 8 feet
Spread: 9 to 15 feet
Bloom Time: April
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Description: Pale pink buds; white flowers
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers, Fragrant Flowers
Leaves: Good Fall Color
Fruit: Showy Fruit, Edible Fruit
Other: Winter Interest, Has Thorns
Wildlife: Attracts Birds, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Clay Soil, Air Pollution
Uses: Cut Flower, Hedge, Flowering Tree

Culture

Best grown in loamy, medium moisture, well-drained, acidic soil in full sun. Adapts to a wide range of soils however. Prune May to early June (i.e., after flowering but before flower buds form for the following year).

Noteworthy Characteristics

Although Sargent crabapple may technically be grown as a dwarf tree, it is for all practical purposes usually grown as a dense, spreading, horizontally-branched, deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub. As a shrub, it typically grows 6-8' tall with no central leader and spreads to 15' wide. Pink buds open to a profuse, but brief, spring bloom of fragrant, white flowers (1" diameter). Profuse bloom often occurs only in alternate years. Flowers are followed by small, red crabapples (1/4" diameter) which mature in the fall. The pea-sized fruits are sweet-flavored like rose hips, but are not usually used in cooking. Fruits are long-lasting and attractive to birds, however. Ovate, lobed, dark green leaves turn yellow in autumn. The yellow fall color contrasts well with the red fruit. The Royal Hortictural Society lists this plant as symonymous with Malus toringo subsp. sargentii.

Problems

Sargent crabapple generally has good disease resistance. Minor susceptibility to apple scab, leaf spot and fire blight. Potential insect pests are of lesser concern and include tent caterpillars, aphids, Japanese beetles, borers, spider mites and scale.

Garden Uses

A dwarf species which is effective when planted as a small specimen or in groups, near fences, in borders or as a screen or hedge. May not be an appropriate selection for smaller gardens because of its alternate year bloom.

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