Malus × 'Royal Ruby'
Royal Ruby 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:

Red (Large (1-2" across), double rose-pink flowers in clusters; late April to May)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Lustrous deep green summer foliage); Yellow (Fall color)

Fruit Notes:

Red (Sparsely produced 0.5" dia. crabapples (pomes) that shrivel)

Ultimate Height:

10-15 feet

Ultimate Spread:

10-15 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. 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

Groupings 189

Patio Tree 125

Specimen 598

Additional Information

The Flowering Crabapple is a popular small ornamental tree with an extremely showy flower display in the spring. 'Royal Ruby' is a vigorous cultivar that produces beautiful double, rose-pink flowers every year. However, it is severely susceptible to apple scab and may look quite ragged by the end of the summer. Well-drained heavy loam soils and full sun promote best growth.