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Red Jade Crabapple

Malus 'Red Jade'

The Story

Plant Bio

Malus is a genus of small deciduous trees or shrubs, commonly known as apples and crabapples, prized for their showy spring blossoms and often colorful fruit.

'Red Jade' is a classic weeping crabapple, featuring a graceful, cascading form with branches that sweep the ground. It offers a profusion of pink buds opening to white flowers, followed by persistent, glossy red fruit.

Uses & Benefits:

A premier small specimen tree, 'Red Jade' provides multi-season interest with its beautiful weeping form, profuse spring flowers, and attractive red fruit that persists into winter. Its cascading branches create a living sculpture in the landscape.

Its small stature makes it an excellent choice for courtyards, small residential lots, and gardens where a larger tree would be overwhelming. It can be used to frame a view or anchor a garden bed.

The spring blossoms are a valuable nectar and pollen source for bees and other pollinators. The small, persistent fruits provide a vital winter food source for birds such as cedar waxwings and robins.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

144 inches

Width

240 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Medium

Humidity

Average to high

Lifespan

30-50 years

Native To

Cultivated Origin

Toxicity

Fruit is edible; seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides.

Bloom period

Mid-spring – Late spring

In flower about 2 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site in full sun with good air circulation.
Plant in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil.
Dig a hole two to three times the width of the root ball.
Set the tree so the graft union is above the soil line.
Backfill with soil and water deeply to eliminate air pockets.
Mulch around the base, but avoid contact with the trunk.

Pro Tip

Annual pruning in late winter is crucial to maintain its elegant weeping shape and prevent it from becoming a tangled mess.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide full sun for best flowering and fruiting.
Water regularly during the first year to establish roots.
Prune annually to remove water sprouts and crossing branches.
Monitor for common crabapple diseases like scab and fire blight.

Don't

Do not plant in poorly drained or wet soils.
Avoid overhead watering to help prevent fungal diseases.
Don't neglect pruning, as the weeping form can become congested.
Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, which promotes leafy growth over flowers.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Graceful weeping specimen treeFocal point for small gardensDramatic accent near patios or water features

Companion Plants

Narcissus 'Thalia'Muscari armeniacum Hemerocallis 'Stella de Oro'Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt'Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low'

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Red Jade Crabapple questions

What zones can Red Jade Crabapple grow in?

Red Jade Crabapple is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Red Jade Crabapple deer resistant?

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

When does Red Jade Crabapple bloom?

Red Jade 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 Red Jade Crabapple need full sun?

Red Jade Crabapple does best in full sun (6+ hours).