Other Names:  Roseybloom, Crabapple

Description:

A very showy garden accent tree that has it all; rich red buds open to soft pink flowers in spring, followed by purple fruit in fall, all on an attractive weeping form; use as a solitary accent in a garden or landscape setting

Ornamental Features

Black Olive Flowering Crab is bathed in stunning clusters of fragrant pink flowers along the branches in mid spring, which emerge from distinctive crimson flower buds before the leaves. It has attractive dark green foliage edged in burgundy which emerges burgundy in spring. The pointy leaves are highly ornamental but do not develop any appreciable fall color. The fruits are showy deep purple pomes carried in abundance from early to late fall.

Landscape Attributes

Black Olive Flowering Crab is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a rounded form and gracefully weeping branches. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Black Olive Flowering Crab is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Black Olive Flowering Crab will grow to be about 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.