Malus × 'Van Eseltine'
Van Eseltine Flowering Crabapple

Malus × ′Van Eseltine′ - Flowering Habit

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 (Buds rose-pink; flowers (2" across), double, pink, and in clusters; late April to May)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Deep green, dense summer foliage); Yellow (Fall color)

Fruit Notes:

Yellow (0.75" dia. yellow crabapples (pomes) with a brownish-red cheek)

Ultimate Height:

20 feet

Ultimate Spread:

10 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). Flowers are double with 13-19 petals. The bark of mature trees is gray to brown and scaly.

Special Characteristics:

Flowering Characteristics 395

Fragrant Flowers 173

Fruiting Characteristics 158

Additional Information

The Flowering Crabapple is a popular small ornamental tree with an extremely showy flower display in the spring. 'Van Eseltine' is a vase-shaped tree with large, double, pink flowers. This cultivar has severe susceptibility to apple scab and fireblight. Tends to flower and fruit in alternate years. Well-drained heavy loam soils and full sun promote best growth. May look quite ragged at the end of the summer.