Malus × 'Prairifire'
Prairifire Flowering Crabapple

Family:

Rosaceae (Rose Family) 211

Genus:

Malus (Apple, Crabapple, Flowering Crabapple) 75

Plant Type:

Tree 569

Growth Forms:

Upright 574

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 520

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 839

Flower Notes:

Red (Buds red; flowers (1.5-1.6" across) pinkish-red and in clusters; late April to May)

Foliage Notes:

Red (Reddish-purple young growth in the spring); Green (Dark green summer foliage with a red tinge); Multi-Colored (Orange and red fall foliage)

Fruit Notes:

Red (Up to 0.5" dia. purplish-red crabapples (pomes); persistent)

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 leaves 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 prominently lenticelled bark is a lustrous, deep reddish-brown.

Special Characteristics:

Flowering Characteristics 354

Fragrant Flowers 190

Fruiting Characteristics 115

Pest and/or Disease Resistant 96

Additional Information

The Flowering Crabapple is a popular small ornamental tree with an extremely showy flower display in the spring. 'Prairifire' is an excellent cultivar that puts on a beautiful show of dark pinkish-red flowers every year. Quite resistant to the pests and diseases that commonly affect crabapples (apple scab, fireblight, Japanese beetles, leaf spot, cedar-apple rust, and powdery mildew). Well-drained heavy loam soils and full sun promote best growth.