Plant Library

Other Names:  Roseybloom, Crabapple

Description:

A highly rated ornamental covered in showy red flowers in spring and dark red fruit in fall, spreading habit of growth with dark foliage, very hardy; the definitive accent tree for the average home landscape, needs well-drained soil and full sun

Ornamental Features

Selkirk Flowering Crab is blanketed in stunning clusters of fragrant rose flowers along the branches in mid spring before the leaves. It has attractive white deciduous foliage. The pointy leaves are highly ornamental and turn yellow in fall. The fruits are showy purple pomes carried in abundance from early to mid fall. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up.

Landscape Attributes

Selkirk Flowering Crab is a deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. 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;

• Messy
• Disease

Selkirk Flowering Crab is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade

Planting & Growing

Selkirk Flowering Crab will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 25 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.