Malus × 'Winter Gold'
Winter Gold Flowering Crabapple

Family:

Rosaceae (Rose Family) 211

Genus:

Malus (Apple, Crabapple, Flowering Crabapple) 75

Plant Type:

Tree 569

Growth Forms:

Upright 572

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 515

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 836

Flower Notes:

Red;white (Buds deep red; flowers 1.2" across, single, white, and in clusters; late April to May)

Foliage Notes:

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

Fruit Notes:

Yellow (0.5" dia. golden-yellow crabapple (pomes) that sometimes have a pink to orange cheek)

Ultimate Height:

25 feet

Ultimate Spread:

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. 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 355

Fragrant Flowers 188

Fruiting Characteristics 117

Additional Information

The Flowering Crabapple is a popular small ornamental tree with an extremely showy flower display in the spring. 'Winter Gold' produces white flowers and an abundance of persistent golden fruits that can last through February. This cultivar is slightly susceptible to apple scab and powdery mildew and slightly to moderate susceptible to fireblight. Tends to flower and fruit in alternate years. Well-drained heavy loam soils and full sun promote best growth.