Malus × 'Ellen Gerhart'
Ellen Gerhart Flowering Crabapple

Family:

Rosaceae (Rose Family) 211

Genus:

Malus (Apple, Crabapple, Flowering Crabapple) 75

Plant Type:

Tree 569

Growth Forms:

Upright 571

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 515

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 836

Flower Notes:

Pink (Flowers light pink and in clusters; late April to May)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Deep green in summer); Multi-Colored (Yellow, green, and orange fall color)

Fruit Notes:

Red (0.4" dia. bright red crabapples (pomes) that are edible for both humans (in preserves) and birds)

Ultimate Height:

15-20 feet

Ultimate Spread:

15-20 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Well-drained heavy loam soils

Range:

Cultivated origin

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Simple, ovate leaves (up to 3" long) in clusters on short spurs. Buds have several imbricate scales and are usually reddish-brown with hairs protruding under scales. Fruits have multiple seeds (as compared to the single seed pit of Prunus species). The bark of mature trees is gray to brown and scaly. A distinctive, rust-colored, cone-like scar is present on the fruit from the calyx.

Special Characteristics:

Additional Information

The Flowering Crabapple is a popular small ornamental tree with an extremely showy flower display in the spring. 'Ellen Gerhart' is a cultivar that has single to semi-double blossoms, but it is not suggested for use in the landscape due to its severe susceptibility to apple scab. However, it has generally good resistance to other pests and diseases that can affect crabapples, such as fireblight, Japanese beetles, leaf spot, cedar-apple rust, and powdery mildew. Fruits can be used in preserves. Tends to flower and fruit in alternate years. Well-drained heavy loam soils and full sun promote best growth. May look ragged at the end of the summer.