White Flowering Crabapple Trees

The showy flowers of the approximately 25 species of blooming crabapple trees (‌Malus‌ spp.‌)‌ vary in color from deep red to pink to white, attracting birds and butterflies.

The small fruits of these deciduous trees and shrubs that appear after the blooms fade are typically under 2 inches in diameter but still provide food for deer and small mammals.

Cbaile19, CC 1.0 Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

American Crabapple

The fragrant, star-shaped pink flowers of American crabapple (‌Malus coronaria‌, USDA hardiness zones 4a to 8b), bloom in May and fade to white as they age. Also known as the garland, sweet or wild crabapple, these trees grow to 15 to 30 feet tall and spread 20 to 30 feet wide.

The small fruits are bitter but can be used in jellies and cider making. Bees are attracted to the flower nectar and birds, rabbits, squirrels, foxes and opossum feast on the greenish-yellow apples that appear from September to October.

How to Plant

Horticulturists at the North Carolina State Extension recommend planting American crabapple in loamy soil in full sun or partial shade. The small trees can tolerate occasional dry spells but prefer moist soil with good drainage. Consider using crabapple trees in a pollinator or edible garden to attract bees and butterflies.

Pests and Diseases

Insects including aphids, treehoppers and leafhoppers are a problem, as are a variety of diseases. Avoid planting crabapples within 500 feet of a cedar or juniper to help prevent the spread of cedar apple rust.

Chrumps, CC SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sargent Crabapple

The Sargent crabapple (‌Malus sargentii,‌ zones 4 to 7) is the smallest of the flowering crabapples, rarely growing more than 8 feet tall and spreading less than 15 feet. Showy, fragrant white flowers emerge from pink blooms in the spring. In the fall, the tree’s green leaves fade to yellow, contrasting with the bright red of the small fruit.

According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, the fruit is sweet but rarely used in cooking. It does, however, provide food for birds. The Sargent crabapple was named for the first director of Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum.

How to Plant

If you’re planning to use Sargent crabapples for a burst of color in your garden, keep in mind that the most profuse blooms occur in alternate years. Plant the trees in well-draining, loamy soil in full sun for the best blooms. Sargent crabapples will tolerate some drought and some air pollution.

Pests and Diseases

They are disease resistant but may be affected by leaf spot, apple scab and fire blight. Insect pests like aphids, Japanese beetles and tent caterpillars are less common.

Wouter Hagens, CC Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Siebold Crabapple

Siebold crabapples (‌Malus toringo‌, zones 4a to 8b) have pink buds that fade to fragrant white flowers in early spring. The very small fruit range in color from yellow to red.

How to Plant

Trees grow to about 20 feet in height. While the plants tolerate a range of soil conditions, they do best in full sun in soil with good drainage. According to the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, Siebold crabapples are considered invasive in some states.

Pests and Diseases

These shrub-like trees are highly resistant to scab, the fungus that causes leaf and fruit spotting and drop, but they are susceptible to damage from deer.

Dan Keck, Public Domain, via Flickr

Hybrid White-Flowering Crabapple Cultivars

‌Spring Snow:‌ Spring Snow flowering crabapple trees (‌Malus‌ x ‘Spring Snow’, zones 3a to 8a) are unusual because they rarely produce fruit. These trees grow 20 to 25 feet tall and spread 15 to 20 feet wide. Fragrant white flowers that bloom in spring attract pollinators.

Spring Snow crabapples adapt to most soil types but prefer a well-draining plot in full sun. Because the trees are fruitless, they’re a good addition to urban areas where dropped fruit might be crushed on sidewalks and streets.

‌Sugar Tyme:‌ Sugar Tyme (‌Malus‌ ‘Sutyzam’ SUGAR TYME, zones 4 to 8) are 18-foot-tall trees with pale pink buds that mature into white flowers, attracting birds and butterflies. Like other crabapples, Sugar Tyme adapts to a range of soils but does best in well-draining soil in full sun. The mature tree is insect resistant.