Botanical Name: Malus 'Prairfire'
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Common Name: Prairifire Crabapple  
Plant photo of: Malus 'Prairfire'
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Tree

 

Height Range

12-25'

 

Flower Color

Pink, Red

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Bronze, Green, Purple

 

Bark Color

Brown, Grey

 

Fruit Color

Red

 

Fruit Season

Winter, Fall, Persistent

Sun

Full

 

Water

Medium, Extra in Summer

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Ranch, Spanish

 

Accenting Features

Fall Color, Showy Flowers, Silhouette

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Entry, Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Patio, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Screen, Mass Planting, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

Prairifire crab has an upright, rounded form, and grows to about 15 to 20 feet tall and wide. It has a red bud opening to a dark pinkish red flower. Fruit is dark red-purple, small, and persistent; long after the flowers and leaves have fallen, the fruit hangs on like little ornaments well into the winter months. Leaves emerge reddish maroon, maturing to a dark green. Very disease resistant.
Crabapples are well adapted to many soil types but appear to do best in clay loams and sandy clay loams. Soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral to slightly alkaline (6.0 to 8.0). Plant in full sun, where nearby trees will not shade them excessively. Water regularly and deeply. See Resources for more information.