Gardeners derive immense joy from crabapple trees, admiring their gorgeous spring flowers, striking autumn leaves, and diverse range of fruit colors and sizes.
There are numerous varieties of crabapple trees, each with its own unique characteristics. This article will introduce you to 25 top-performing and proven winners among crabapple varieties.
Whether you’re looking for a tree with vibrant blossoms, attractive fruit, or exceptional disease resistance, there’s a crabapple variety that’s perfect for you.
Get your tree off to the best possible start! Learn all about key care aspects, common problems, propagation, and more in my detailed Crabapple Tree Guide.
1. Dolgo Crabapple
The Dolgo crabapple is a hardy variety known for its large, edible fruit. The tree produces abundant white blossoms in the spring followed by deep-red fruit that is excellent for making jellies and sauces.
It’s also highly resistant to diseases, making it a low-maintenance choice for home gardens.
2. Prairie Fire Crabapple
The Prairie Fire crabapple is a showstopper with its stunning pink-to-red flowers and dark red-purple leaves. The tree produces small, red fruit that attracts birds.
It’s also known for its excellent resistance to apple scab and mildew, making it a durable and attractive addition to any landscape. You can find healthy Prairifire crabapple trees here that are guaranteed to grow.
3. Indian Magic Crabapple
The Indian Magic crabapple is prized for its prolonged seasonal interest. It features pink blossoms in the spring, followed by orange-red fruit that persists into the winter, providing a food source for birds.
The leaves turn an attractive bronze in the fall, adding to its appeal.
4. Royal Raindrops Crabapple
The Royal Raindrops crabapple is a standout with its unique magenta-pink flowers and deeply lobed, purple leaves.
The tree produces tiny, red fruit and offers excellent disease resistance. Its upright, spreading form makes it suitable for smaller landscapes. You’ll find this variety here.
5. Sugar Tyme Crabapple
As the name suggests, the Sugar Tyme crabapple is a sweet addition to any garden. It features fragrant, white flowers and glossy, green leaves.
This tree produces small, red fruit that persists into the winter, adding interest to the winter landscape.
6. Sargent Crabapple
The Sargent crabapple is a dwarf variety, making it an excellent choice for smaller gardens or landscapes.
It offers a profusion of white flowers in the spring and tiny, red fruits that attract birds. Despite its small size, it’s a hardy tree with excellent disease resistance.
7. Golden Hornet Crabapple
The Golden Hornet crabapple is known for its abundant, yellow fruit that hangs on the tree well into the winter, providing a striking contrast to the bare branches.
The tree also features white flowers in the spring and offers good disease resistance.
8. Spring Snow Crabapple
The Spring Snow crabapple lives up to its name with a profusion of white flowers in the spring that resemble a snowfall.
Unlike many other crabapple varieties, it does not produce fruit, making it a good choice for locations where fallen fruit might be a concern.
9. Adirondack Crabapple
The Adirondack crabapple is a compact variety with an upright, narrow form. It features abundant, white flowers and bright-red fruit.
It’s known for its excellent resistance to diseases and its ability to attract wildlife, making it a great choice for a wildlife garden.
10. Snowdrift Crabapple
The Snowdrift crabapple is a popular variety known for its cloud of white flowers in the spring.
The tree produces orange-red fruit and has glossy, green leaves that turn yellow in the fall. It’s a hardy variety with a rounded form that fits well in many landscapes.
11. Purple Prince Crabapple
The Purple Prince crabapple is a royal addition to any garden with its reddish-purple foliage and pink flowers.
The tree produces maroon-red fruit and offers excellent disease resistance. Its spreading, rounded form makes it an attractive choice as a specimen tree.
12. Centurion Crabapple
The Centurion crabapple is known for its upright, columnar form and vibrant, rose-red flowers. The tree produces glossy, red fruit and has dark-green leaves that turn yellow in the fall.
It’s a hardy variety with good resistance to diseases, making it a durable and attractive addition to the landscape.
13. Red Splendor Crabapple
The Red Splendor crabapple is a true spectacle with its pink flowers, purplish-red leaves, and deep red fruit.
The tree has a rounded form and offers good disease resistance. Its vibrant colors make it a standout in any garden.
14. Brandywine Crabapple
The Brandywine crabapple is a unique variety with its double, pink flowers that resemble small roses. The tree produces small, red fruit and has a rounded form.
It’s a hardy variety with good resistance to diseases, making it a reliable and attractive choice.
15. Louisa Crabapple
The Louisa crabapple is a weeping variety, offering a different form than most other crabapple trees. It features pink flowers and yellow fruit.
Its weeping form and attractive, glossy leaves make it a distinctive and elegant addition to any garden.
16. Bob White Crabapple
The Bob White crabapple is a hardy variety known for its white flowers and persistent, red fruit. The tree has a rounded form and offers excellent resistance to diseases.
It’s durability and attractive features make it a great choice for a low-maintenance garden.
17. Professor Sprenger Crabapple
The Professor Sprenger crabapple is a standout with its vibrant, pink flowers and large, orange-red fruit.
The tree has a rounded form and offers good resistance to diseases. Its colorful flowers and fruit make it a standout in any landscape.
18. Profusion Crabapple
The Profusion crabapple lives up to its name with a profusion of deep-pink flowers. The tree produces red fruit and has bronze-green leaves that turn orange in the fall.
It’s a hardy variety with a spreading form, making it a good choice for larger landscapes.
19. Butterball Crabapple
The Butterball crabapple is a unique variety with its buttery-yellow fruit. The tree features pink flowers and has a rounded form.
It’s a hardy variety with good resistance to diseases, and its unique fruit color makes it a distinctive addition to any garden.
20. Gorgeous Crabapple
The Gorgeous crabapple is true to its name, offering gorgeous, pink flowers and large, red fruit. The tree has a rounded form and offers excellent resistance to diseases.
It’s vibrant colors and attractive form make it a special feature in any landscape.
21. Harry Baker Crabapple
The Harry Baker crabapple is known for its large, pink flowers and its fruit, which are larger than that of many other crabapple varieties.
The fruit is excellent for making crabapple jelly. The tree has a rounded form and offers good resistance to diseases.
22. Rudolph Crabapple
The Rudolph crabapple is a festive variety with its red flowers and glossy, red fruit. The tree has a rounded form and shows good disease resistance. Its vibrant colors make it a festive addition to any garden.
23. Tina Crabapple
The Tina crabapple is a dwarf variety, making it an excellent choice for smaller gardens or landscapes. It produces showy white flowers and red fruit.
Despite its small size, it’s a hardy tree with excellent disease resistance.
24. Coralburst Crabapple
The Coralburst crabapple is a compact variety with a unique, rounded form. It features double, coral-pink flowers and small, red fruit.
It’s a hardy variety with excellent resistance to diseases, making it a durable and attractive addition to any landscape.
25. Robinson Crabapple
The Robinson crabapple is a popular variety known for its fast growth and vibrant, pink flowers.
The tree produces small, red fruit and has bronze-green leaves that turn orange in the fall. It’s a hardy variety with a rounded form that fits well in many landscapes.
Closing Thoughts
Crabapple trees are a diverse group with varieties to suit every landscape and personal preference.
From the vibrant blossoms of the Prairifire crabapple to the unique, double flowers of the Brandywine crabapple, there’s a crabapple tree for every garden and yard.
We hope this guide has helped you discover the perfect crabapple variety for your garden. Happy planting!