tree

Sugar Tyme Crabapple

Malus 'Sutyzam'

The Story

Plant Bio

A popular ornamental crabapple tree prized for its profusion of fragrant, pale pink buds that open to single, crisp white flowers in spring. It has an upright, oval form and excellent disease resistance.

Sugar Tyme is renowned for its four-season interest, featuring a spectacular spring bloom, clean summer foliage, and abundant, persistent, glossy red fruits that provide winter color and food for birds.

Uses & Benefits:

Sugar Tyme offers exceptional multi-season beauty. It explodes with fragrant white blossoms in spring, carries clean, dark green foliage through summer, and is adorned with brilliant red fruit that persists through winter, often against a backdrop of snow.

Its upright, compact size makes it an excellent choice for smaller landscapes, courtyards, and as a street tree where space is limited. The persistent fruit does not create a significant mess, unlike some other crabapple varieties.

The spring flowers are a valuable nectar and pollen source for bees and other pollinators. The small, persistent fruits are a crucial winter food source for many bird species, including cedar waxwings and robins.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

216 inches

Width

180 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

30-50 years

Native To

Garden origin

Toxicity

Fruit is non-toxic but 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 with at least 6 hours of direct sun daily.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper.
Ensure the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
Backfill the hole with native soil, gently tamping it down.
Water deeply immediately after planting to settle the soil.
Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base, avoiding the trunk.

Pro Tip

Plant in full sun to ensure the best flowering, fruit production, and disease resistance. Avoid planting other susceptible species nearby.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Water regularly during the first year to establish a strong root system.
Provide good air circulation to maintain healthy foliage.
Prune out any water sprouts or suckers that appear at the base.
Clean up fallen fruit if it becomes a nuisance.

Don't

Do not plant in poorly drained or waterlogged soils.
Avoid heavy pruning, which can spoil its natural form.
Do not fertilize heavily; crabapples do not require rich soil.
Avoid overhead watering to minimize potential for foliar diseases.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Stunning spring-flowering specimen treeIdeal for small residential landscapesProvides winter interest with persistent fruit

Companion Plants

Syringa vulgaris Spiraea x vanhouttei Narcissus varieties Hemerocallis 'Stella de Oro'Paeonia lactiflora

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Sugar Tyme Crabapple questions

What zones can Sugar Tyme Crabapple grow in?

Sugar Tyme 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 Sugar Tyme Crabapple deer resistant?

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

When does Sugar Tyme Crabapple bloom?

Sugar Tyme 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 Sugar Tyme Crabapple need full sun?

Sugar Tyme Crabapple does best in full sun (6+ hours).