Malus sargentii
Sargent Crabapple
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
Average mature size of 6-10' tall and 9-16' wide, but can get to 12' tall and 18' wide in optimal conditions. Dense, mounded, wide-spreading, horizontally-branched habit. It starts out rather shrub-like. No central leader. Moderate rate of growth. Most crabapples have a relatively short to medium lifespan, rarely exceeding 100 years.
Native Range
Native to Japan.
Flower and Fruit Details
Flower buds red or pink, opening to white blooms, 0.75-1" diameter, fragrant. Heavy flower set may skip a year (alternate bearing), but not always. Makes a good cut flower. Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Fruits are sweet, edible, bright red, 0.25-0.5" diameter. Heavy fruit set may skip a year (alternate bearing), but not always. Songbirds enjoy the small pome fruits. Fruits may be used for making jelly.
Leaf and Bark Features
Deciduous: Leaves are ovate, often lobed and dark green. Yellow fall color. Bark is shiny gray-brown, scaly on older trunks. Some thorns may be present. Winter interest.
Culture and Care
Best in a heavy loam, well-drained, moist, and acid soil, but quite adaptable. Plant in full sun for best flowers and fruits. Pruning, if it is needed, should be done before early June. Tolerates clay and air pollution. Established trees are drought resistant. Zone 4-7. Generally has good to excellent disease resistance. Slightly susceptible to scab, fireblight and leaf spot. Excellent resistance to rust, powdery mildew, and Japanese beetles.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
Good wildlife value. 4-season interest: Spring, summer, fall & winter. Named to honor Charles Sargent, first Director of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. The Sargent crabapples are one of author and plantsman, Dr. Michael Dirr's "Overall Favorite Crabapples."
Suggested Uses
Used as a specimen flowering tree/shrub, or in a hedge.
Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA
The following taxa are (or were) represented in the collections at Boone County Arboretum. Additional taxa may be available in the trade that are not included here.
Malus sargentii 'Candymint' // Candymint Sargent Crabapple
Tree. Deep carmine buds open to fragrant, long-lasting, pink petals with red edging. Deep reddish-purple fruit. Shiny, deep, reddish-brown bark. Average mature size 10' tall and 18' wide. Develops an attractive, horizontal growth habit. Leaves start out deep purple, then purplish-green, and finally dark green. Good resistance to most diseases. May have some apple scab fungus. Very resistant to Japanese beetle. Used near fences, in borders, screens, hedges, or as a small specimen or in groups.
BT004190Malus sargentii 'Select A' // Firebird® Crabapple
Tree. Originated from 1980-collected, open-pollinated seeds. A Wisconsin introduction. Flower buds are red to pink, opening to single, annual, 1" diameter, fragrant white flowers, blooming in April and May. Good resistance to apple scab and rust diseases. Fruits are 3/8" diameter, red in color, ripening in September and persisting through November. Crabapple jelly may be made from the fruits. This is a compact, rounded, spreading tree to 8' tall and 10' wide.
BT001803Malus sargentii 'Tina' // Tina Sargent Crabapple
Tree. Flower buds are red, opening to 3/4" single, fragrant, white flowers. Fruits are red, 5/16" diameter. Average mature plant size is 5' tall and 10' wide after 20 years. Very disease-resistant. Form is low-spreading and dwarf.
BT004380b - BT004390b - BT004400b