MELBOURNE STREET TREES 171 - CRAB APPLE BECHTEL

Malus ioensis ‘Plena’ or double, pink flowering crab apple is possibly the best ornamental flowering tree there is. It is a beautiful little deciduous tree that only grows to approximately 5mts tall, and 3 - 4mts wide with lovely green foliage appearing at the start of spring. Once a layer of foliage is produced, clusters of bright pink buds form all over the tree and burst open in mid spring. The flowers open to blush pink and then fade to white. The blossom is beautifully perfumed.

In autumn the foliage turns to a mixture of orange and red then falls to let the winter sun in. The tree is an attractive shape and looks good even bare, in winter. Malus like full sun and well drained soil and prefer mulch to keep the moisture in for summer. It is a self-forming tree so only prune if branches are in your way. Feed with All Purpose Fertiliser when first foliage begins to appear.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme,
and also part of the Friday Greens meme.