Crab-apples have gotten a bad reputation in the past for dropping their fruit in the middle of summer to be trampled or shot out like ammo from a mower. This is no longer the case. For over 20 years growers have introduced new cultivars that maintain persistent fruit. This means they keep the small apples into mid-winter as a beautiful red winter interest, when most things have turned brown. They also provide food for the birds, before dropping in late winter once they have shriveled up to almost nothing. So don’t be hesitant to add a crab-apple to your landscape – they offer all season interest with gorgeous spring blooms, green summers, colorful falls and their red fruit for winter of which most is gone before it drops!
