tree

Show Time Crabapple

Malus shotizam

The Story

Plant Bio

Ornamental crabapples are small to medium-sized deciduous trees cherished for their spectacular spring floral displays, colorful foliage, and persistent, decorative fruit. They are among the most popular and versatile small landscape trees.

'Shotizam', marketed as Show Time™, is a modern cultivar celebrated for its electric, fuchsia-red flowers that cover the branches in spring. It also features reddish-bronze foliage, tiny red fruits, and excellent disease resistance.

Uses & Benefits:

Show Time™ crabapple is a premier ornamental tree, providing a knockout floral display of vibrant magenta flowers in spring. Its attractive reddish-bronze foliage adds color throughout the summer, contrasting well with green-leaved plants. The small, bright red fruits persist into winter, adding another season of interest and attracting birds.

Its upright, oval form and moderate size make it an excellent choice for urban and suburban landscapes, including as a street tree or in smaller residential yards. Modern cultivars like 'Shotizam' are bred for excellent disease resistance, making them much lower-maintenance than older crabapple varieties.

Crabapple blossoms are a vital early-season food source for bees and other pollinators. The small, persistent fruits are a valuable food source for birds like cedar waxwings, robins, and finches during the lean winter months. The tree also provides nesting sites and cover for birds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

216 inches

Width

180 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Medium

Humidity

Average

Lifespan

30-50 years

Native To

Hybrid

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Mid-spring – Late spring

In flower about 2 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun.
Plant in average, well-drained soil; crabapples are widely adaptable.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep.
Place the tree in the hole, ensuring the graft union is above the soil line.
Backfill with the original soil and water deeply.
Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base.

Pro Tip

Plant in full sun to ensure the most prolific flowering, best foliage color, and strongest disease resistance.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system.
Prune to maintain an open canopy for good air circulation.
Remove any suckers that emerge from the base or rootstock.
Clean up fallen fruit if it becomes a nuisance, though 'Shotizam' has small fruit.

Don't

Do not plant in poorly drained or waterlogged soil.
Avoid heavy shearing, which ruins the natural form.
Don't over-fertilize, especially with high-nitrogen food.
Avoid wounding the bark with lawn equipment.

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

Vibrant specimen tree for small yardsDramatic street or parkway treeColorful accent in mixed borders

Companion Plants

Syringa vulgaris (Common Lilac)Spiraea x vanhouttei (Vanhoutte Spirea)Narcissus (Daffodils)Hemerocallis (Daylilies)Pennisetum alopecuroides (Fountain Grass)

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Show Time Crabapple questions

What zones can Show Time Crabapple grow in?

Show Time 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 Show Time Crabapple deer resistant?

Yes — Show Time Crabapple is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Show Time Crabapple bloom?

Show Time 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 Show Time Crabapple need full sun?

Show Time Crabapple does best in full sun (6+ hours).