Flowering Crabapple
The Many Types Of Flowering Crabapple
Flowering crabapple trees have graced country sides and landscaping the world over for centuries on end. From the original 35 known wild species of flowering crabapple, over 700 subspecies have been developed and perfected. Most of the newer additions to the family have been genetically formatted to resist common strains of disease, though most naturally occurring flowering crabapple plants tend to be hardy in this respect. The most common plagues for these robust ornamentals would be the worm infestation of the fruit, which we tend not to care that much for anyway, and a white powdery fungus which covers the leaves and fruit during times of high humidity. Though unsightly, the latter rarely does permanent damage to the tree or shrub.
Flowering crabapples have become a staple addition to bonsai gardens over the past century, though they have been cultivated and nurtured in Asian culture for thousands of years. They offer the exact size, when pruned and trained correctly, required for such a delicate art, and the blossoms are kept plentiful through the careful extraction of undeveloped fruit. By stealing the fruit before it can steal nutrients from the tree, growers of the flowering crabapple can enjoy a more plentiful, beautiful, and fragrant blooming season each year.
From pink to red buds, the blooms will open and slowly lose their brilliant color. Flowering crabapple trees and shrubs, when not being raised as bonsai specimens, require very little pruning, trimming, or care. Water sprouts, which can pop up off of the trunk or branches, should be trimmed when detected, as well as any new shoots which try to come up from the roots or base of the tree. These growths can mature quickly, causing possible damage to the landscaping plants close by. They can also zap the nutrients from your otherwise healthy flowering crabapple, so be sure to check them each month or so for issues.
The most wonderful thing about the flowering crabapple is its absolute resilience, as it is able to grow and flourish under nearly any climatic conditions. In other words, when all else fails plant a crabapple tree. The blooming season usually lasts for at least three weeks, and the tree itself offers a beautiful wind breaker even after the flowering season is over. There are flowering crabapple shrubs and trees whose fruit will last throughout the winter, offering food and shelter to your favorite birds. Most of these species are of Asian decent, but your local greenhouse experts will help you to find the perfect ornamental crabapple for your yard. As a pollination tool for orchards, the flowering crabapple offers a constant, stable supply of nectar during the tough edible apple seasons.