Ornamental Crabapple Red Sentinel

A particularly attractive and prolific crabapple, Malus x robusta Red Sentinel is a vigorous, small deciduous tree, an ideal specimen tree and a star of the winter garden. The tree has an attractive, upright habit and spreading, well-branched head, and the green leaves develop red tints in autumn. Masses of large, pink-tinged white flowers, 3cm across, in April and May are followed by heavy crops of yellow and red fruits like cherries, 2.5cm across, ripening to a deep glossy red by Christmas. These make an excellent jelly, or will persist beautifully on the tree well into January to eventually provide food for birds. Self-fertile, and a good pollinator for apples in Flowering Groups 1, 2 and 3. Notably disease-resistant.

Site: Sheltered or exposed
Soil: Any reasonably well drained soil
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Season of Interest: Spring, autumn, winter
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 13-26’ (4-8m) Spread: 13-26’ (4-8m) in 10-20 years