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White flowering crabs

13 years ago

Thoughts on these for disease resitance and overall look?

Anne E

Adirondack (Fruits persistant?)

Firebird

Red Jade

Sugar Tyme

Snow Drift

Estimates of size vary quite a bit between different sources, so any input there is greatly appreciated as well. Trying to keep around 15' H preferably, but am open to some variance there. (No higher than 20'H. 10'H is a bit on the short side.) Want more of a spreading or weeping form as well, but can compromise if needed. Husband would really prefer to stick withthe white flowering varieties. Thanks!

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Comments (7)

whaas_5a
13 years ago
Firebird and Sugar Tyme have the most persistant red fruit of the bunch.

Firebird is the best selection IMO, but is only about 10 x 8'.

Remove SnowDrift from your list.

Search this forum for "Malus good fall color". There are many links in the that post to various sources regarding fruit persistance and disease resistance.

Another good one for our area is Donald Wyman but that might be a bit too big.

Red Jewel is probably the perfect selection for you and they are quite shapely. I didn't pull the trigger on one as I got conflicting reports on fireblight resistance.
zaphod42
Original Author
13 years ago
Whaas - Did you mean Red Jewel or Red Jade? I've found a resource that has Red Jewel at GOOD for scab resistance and FAIR for blight resistance. Red Jade is FAIR for both. I see what you mean. Their both sort of mediocre endorsements for disease resistance.

Firebird looks good. Its got EXCELLENT in both categories. I may have to reconsider a 10'H tree. Might work proportionally.

Came across two more -

Zumi

Madonna
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
13 years ago
I'd recommend either Sugar Tyme, Donald Wyman or Zumi - all have noted disease resistance in my area, although fireblight here on the left coast is not much of an issue. FWIW, Sugar Tyme is probably my favorite of any of the flowering crabs - excellent disease resistance, nice rounded form, heavy flowering, fragrance and wonderful persistent, bright red fruit.
zaphod42
Original Author
13 years ago
Gardengal - What would you say the real-life size of the Sugar Tyme is?
whaas_5a
13 years ago
I was refering to Red Jewel, not familar with Red Jade.

Sugar Tyme tops out about 18' x 15'. This selection might be an alternate bearer. I can't seem to confirm this though.
zaphod42
Original Author
13 years ago
Does alternate bearer mean it only has fruit every other year? Would that be a problem or is that just another aspect, neither good nor bad?
whaas_5a
13 years ago
I guess it would be a negative if you want heavy flowering and fruiting every year.

Don't quote me on this but I believe it flowers/fruits heavy one year then its lighter the next year.

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