Plant Type

Tree, Shrub

 

Height Range

6-12'

 

Flower Color

Pink, White

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Green, Dark Green

 

Bark Color

Brown, Grey

 

Fruit Color

Red

 

Fruit Season

Summer, Fall, Persistent

Sun

Full

 

Water

Medium, Extra in Summer

 

Growth Rate

Moderate, Slow

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Japanese, Ranch, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers, Silhouette

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Patio, Raised Planter, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Hedge, Screen, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

Sargent crabapple is technically a dwarf, deciduous tree, its diminutive size and multi-stemmed habit means it is frequently grown as a dense, spreading, horizontally-branched, multi-stemmed shrub. As a shrub, it typically grows 6 to 8 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Pink buds open to a spring bloom of fragrant, white flowers, though profuse bloom often occurs in alternate years. Flowers are followed by small, red crabapples which mature in the fall. The pea-sized fruits are sweet-flavored like rose hips, but are not usually used in cooking. Fruits are persistant and attractive to birds. Oval, lobed, dark green leaves turn yellow in autumn. The yellow fall color contrasts well with the red fruit.

Grow in loamy, well-drained soil in full sun. Adapts to a wide range of soils however. If pruning is necessary, avoid shearing, and prune selectively (see Guides) as flowers begin to fade (as with may spring bloomers, they begin to set next year's flower buds immidiately after this year's flowering). Maybe prune a little early and enjoy the lovely flowering branches inside?