Malus × 'Katherine'
Katherine Flowering Crabapple

Family:

Rosaceae (Rose Family) 210

Genus:

Malus (Apple, Crabapple, Flowering Crabapple) 75

Plant Type:

Tree 556

Growth Forms:

Upright 537

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 490

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 792

Flower Notes:

Pink;white (Buds dark pink; flowers large, double, open pink then fade to white, in clusters; late April to May)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Dark green summer foliage); Yellow (Fall foliage)

Fruit Notes:

Yellow (0.25" dia. yellow crabapples (pomes) with a red blush)

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, elliptical leaves (up to 2" long) in clusters on short spurs. Buds have several imbricate scales and are usually reddish-brown with hairs protruding under scales. The 2" dia. flowers are double with 15-24 petals. 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 393

Fragrant Flowers 173

Additional Information

The Flowering Crabapple is a popular small ornamental tree with an extremely showy flower display in the spring. 'Katherine' has excellent white double blossoms, but is susceptible to apple scab. 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.