Plant Library

Other Names:  Roseybloom, Crabapple

Description:

The definitive ornamental purple-leaf tree, simply smothered in purple flowers in spring and dark red fruit in fall, beautiful purple foliage turns blazing colors in fall; somewhat susceptible to disease, needs well-drained soil and full sun

Ornamental Features

Royalty Flowering Crab is draped in stunning clusters of fragrant crimson flowers along the branches in mid spring, which emerge from distinctive dark red flower buds before the leaves. It has attractive burgundy deciduous foliage which emerges purple in spring. The pointy leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding crimson in the fall. The fruits are showy purple pomes displayed from early to mid fall.

Landscape Attributes

Royalty 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 is a high maintenance tree that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Disease

Royalty Flowering Crab is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade

Planting & Growing

Royalty 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.