tree

Velvet Pillar Crabapple

Malus 'Velvet Pillar'

The Story

Plant Bio

Crabapple trees are small to medium-sized deciduous trees celebrated for their spectacular spring floral displays, colorful fruit, and often attractive foliage. They are hardy, adaptable, and provide excellent multi-season interest.

'Velvet Pillar' is a premier columnar crabapple, distinguished by its very narrow, upright form and rich, reddish-purple foliage that holds its color well through summer. It produces pink flowers and small, dark red, persistent fruit.

Uses & Benefits:

'Velvet Pillar' is a living sculpture in the garden. Its primary value is its striking architectural form—a narrow, dense column of deep purple-red foliage that persists all summer. This provides a powerful vertical accent that contrasts beautifully with surrounding plants. Pink spring flowers and dark red winter fruits are secondary but valuable assets.

This tree is a problem-solver for narrow landscape situations. It is perfect for creating a formal allée, a tall privacy screen in a tight side yard, or for adding height to a garden bed without casting excessive shade or taking up valuable ground space.

Like other crabapples, its spring flowers support pollinators. The persistent fruit offers a winter food source for birds, and its dense structure can provide shelter and potential nesting sites.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

240 inches

Width

60 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7

Water

Medium

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

30-50 years

Native To

Cultivated origin

Toxicity

Fruit is non-toxic but very tart

Bloom period

Mid-spring – Late spring

In flower about 2 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site with full sun for best foliage color and form
Ensure soil is well-drained; crabapples are adaptable to soil type
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball
Place the tree in the hole, making sure the root flare is at soil level
Backfill with the excavated soil and water thoroughly
Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch to conserve moisture

Pro Tip

Its tight, fastigiate form requires no pruning to maintain. Plant it where a strong vertical statement is needed.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide full sun exposure to maintain the deep foliage color
Water regularly during its first year of establishment
Allow it to grow naturally; its form is its best feature
Remove any suckers from the base

Don't

Do not plant in the shade, as foliage will turn greenish
Avoid topping or shearing the tree, which will ruin its shape
Don't plant in waterlogged soil
Avoid excessive fertilization

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Plant
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Dramatic vertical accent for tight spacesFormal planting to frame an entrance or viewEffective privacy screen when planted in a row

Companion Plants

Pennisetum 'Hameln'Sedum 'Autumn Joy'Juniperus 'Blue Star'Berberis thunbergii 'Crimson Pygmy'Heuchera 'Palace Purple'

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Velvet Pillar Crabapple questions

What zones can Velvet Pillar Crabapple grow in?

Velvet Pillar Crabapple is hardy in USDA Zones 4–7. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Velvet Pillar Crabapple deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Velvet Pillar Crabapple, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Velvet Pillar Crabapple bloom?

Velvet Pillar Crabapple typically blooms in mid-spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Velvet Pillar Crabapple need full sun?

Velvet Pillar Crabapple does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Velvet Pillar Crabapple drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Velvet Pillar Crabapple handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.