Crabapple

Malus species, Zones 3 to 9

This beautiful tree’s spring blooms are often so robust that they completely hide the branches. Abundant flowers give way to leaves and then to fall and winter fruit. Shop for new varieties that are bred to resist common crabapple diseases, such as powdery mildew, scab and fire blight. Attracts:

Light needs: Full sun.

Size: 10 to 25 feet high and wide.

Grown for: Prolific early spring blooms and late-season fruit.

Foliage: Green or bronze leaves that turn yellow in fall.

Cultivars to try: Profusion for violet-pink blooms and small red fruit, Prairiefire for red buds that open to dark pink blooms, or Adams for dull pink flowers