Every spring I like to drive around neighborhoods enjoying the pure beauty of trees, shrubs, and flowers in bloom. One tree species that I always enjoy seeing is crabapples. Crabapple trees are the prettiest in spring while they’re in bloom and the showiest of all the crabapple species is the Radiant Crabapple.
The Radiant Crabapple (Malus ‘Radiant’), has the most striking color for flowers and a near perfect shape to add to the landscape. It’s always been a favorite of mine and I’ve had one in every place I’ve lived in. It’s very popular and I’m sure you’ve seen Radiant Crabapple trees in your neighborhood.
As a stand-alone tree, the Radiant Crabapple will immediately become a focal point to any landscape. A row of Radiant Crabapple trees along a medium-sized driveway is also very attractive (see my article on landscaping driveways). They are not a demanding tree and are very easy to care for.
Requirements Of A Radiant Crabapple Tree
Radiant Crabapple trees are not very picky about their soil requirements. They’ll grow in sandy, clay, or loam soils which just about covers everything. They like full sun and will tolerate drought conditions but prefer a little more water. Radiant Crabapples do best in Zones 4-9 and can live at high altitudes up to 8,500 ft.
Just a note; whenever you add a new tree to the landscape, always support it with wooden stakes on at least two sides. This will keep any strong gusts of wind from toppling it over and destroying it.
Characteristics of Radiant Crabapple Trees
This beautiful tree is not only easy to care for but it’s very hardy and disease resistant. It can grow to 30 ft., however, most Radiant Crabapple trees usually grow to 15-25 ft. tall and 20-30 ft. wide. This tree makes nice shade during the hot summer months because of its wide berth. Radiant Crabapples are fast growing, compact, and deciduous.
Flowers and Leaves On Radiant Crabapples
The best trait of this flowering crabapple is that its leaves will change color during the summer months. In early spring as the buds open up, the leaf color is a deep purple-red. Soon afterwards, the flower buds open with a beautiful display of deep red-pink and white centers. The Radiant Crabapple is the showiest spring display on the block. Its flowers usually appear in March-April and the fragrant flowers will attract bees to your yard.
After the spring flowering show is over, the flowers will die and you’ll see the formation of little red crabapples. The leaves of the Radiant Crabapple will now turn green through the summer months. Toward summer’s end, the green leaves and little red crabapples put on another display although not as showy as springtime. As autumn approaches, the leaves turn a bronze color and eventually fall off.
Pruning Your Radiant Crabapple Tree
Another advantage of this tree is that I never had to prune it except when a severe storm came through and damaged some of the branches. Other than that, Radiant Crabapple trees need little or no pruning. If you do have to prune your Radiant Crabapple it’s best to do it in the spring and definitely before June as next year’s little buds will start to appear. If you prune it after June, then you’ll be taking off some of next year’s spring display.
I strongly recommend this near perfect tree as an ornamental tree in any backyard. It’s carefree, astounding in spring, and is a focal point all year long. Bees enjoy the spring flowers, birds will eat the small 1-2 inch fruit, and you’ll enjoy the year round beautiful display of the Radiant Crabapple.
Radiant Crabapples are very common in garden nurseries across the country and they’re also inexpensive. I prefer to buy my trees young at 5 ft. or under so that the roots can take hold at an early stage and the stems will begin to branch out and become dense. Radiant Crabapple trees are fast growing and you’ll see their showy display the very next year.
Sources: Colorado State University Extension
Sunny Gardens
Mr. Jack’s Farm
Other Related Gardening Articles:
Ideas For Landscaping A Driveway
Ideas For A Garage Garden
Introducting Three New Coneflowers From Monrovia
6 Attractive Ornamental Grasses For Your Garden
A Great Resource For Purchasing Trees is the Arbor Day Foundation
