Malus hybrids are the result of a cross between parent plants of different varieties or species within the Malus genus. There are four natural hybrids of the Malus genus: x floribunda, x kaido , x soulardii , and x zumi . All of these natural hybrids are crab apples, deciduous shrubs or trees that grow up to 26 feet. They can be very showy for a short period in spring. Their form is usually round with a spreading crown, but they can be vase-shaped. The form varies with subspecies and cultivar. Malus hybrids tolerate a range of soil types but prefers slightly acidic, moist well-drained soil in full sun. They can be planted as a specimen, in groupings, along borders, or in parks. This tree is frequently damaged by deer and has disease and insect problems. This plant blooms early to mid-spring and is usually self-sterile. Buds are a darker shade than blooms. These trees appear to change color as they cycle through stages of new (reddish) growth, full (pink to white) growth, mature leaves (green), and autumnal color (red-varies). The small fruits ripen in the fall. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Apple scab can be a problem, look for disease-resistant cultivars. Quick ID Hints: Leaves are serrate and new growth is pinkish-red Flowers are on pins and buds are purplish-red and open white-pink Fruit is a small apple that ripens in the fall More information on Malus .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 26 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Mounding; Rounded; Spreading; Vase
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Lobed; Serrate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are simple, alternate, mostly ovate, 2"-4" long and 2" wide. Serrated margins can be occasionally lobed or incised with acumate to acute apex and yellow fall color. New growth is red and tinged with pink. Malus 'royal raindrops' has leaves are that serrate and have clearly seen veins (in a light-brown, tan, or even reddish-brown color) on top with an underside that is a pale-green.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Corymb; Cyme; Raceme
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Flowers are white to pink to carmine to red to rose in color. They are 5-petaled and bloom in mid to late spring. Petals are small and orbicular to obovate. Flowers have 15-20 stamens, usually with anthers. They have an inferior ovary. Flowers can be single or double. Inflorescence is a corymb or umbel-like raceme on previous year's growth.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Pome
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Fruit detail
Fruits are edible pomes, red to yellow to green in color, and have varying diameters. A diameter greater than 2" is classified as an apple, and a diameter equal to or less than that is classified as a crabapple. Fruit can be dulled red-purple (look like a dulled cranberry) with a tan circle ring at the end.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Dark Gray; Red/Burgundy
Bark detail
Gray to brown and gets more scaby, blotchy, and rough with age. Malus 'Royal Raindrops' has scaly gray bark that has reddish-gray-brown streaks.
Stem detail
Twigs are alternate, upright, horizontal or drooping.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Fruits attract birds but it is not a favorite food source. 350 species of lepidoptera catepillars feed on this tree which is another food source for birds.
Attracts
Songbirds
Play value
Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit; Flowers
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Pome
Edibility
Eat flowers only in moderation, they contain cyanide precursors. Fruits are edible but must be cooked to be palatable.