Malus × 'Ralph Shay'
Ralph Shay Flowering Crabapple

Family:

Rosaceae (Rose Family) 233

Genus:

Malus (Apple, Crabapple, Flowering Crabapple) 77

Plant Type:

Tree 580

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 498

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 807

Flowers:

Pink;white (Buds are large and pink; flowers white and in clusters; late April to May)

Foliage:

Green (Dark green summer foliage; fall color variable)

Fruit:

Red (Large (up to 1.25" dia.) bright red crabapples (pomes); persistent)

Ultimate Height:

17-20 feet

Ultimate Spread:

15-20 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil:

Well-drained heavy loam soils

Range:

Cultivated origin

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Simple, elliptical 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.

Special Characteristics:

Flowering Characteristics 463

Fragrant Flowers 174

Fruiting Characteristics 257

Food/Edible 78

Groupings 190

Patio Tree 129

Specimen 602

Additional Information

The Flowering Crabapple is a popular small ornamental tree with an extremely showy flower display in the spring. This vigorous cultivar is named in honor of Purdue University plant physiologist Ralph Shay (1918-1981) who was head of the Department of Botany & Plant Pathology from 1954-1966. This tree has attractive white flowers followed by exceptionally large, long persisting, bright red fruits that can be used in jellies or preserves. 'Ralph Shay' has slight susceptibility to apple scab, fair to good resistance to fireblight and cedar-apple rust, and excellent resistance to powdery mildew. Tends to flower and fruit in alternate years. Well-drained heavy loam soils and full sun promote best growth.