Crabapples

American Masterpiece Crabapple

Crabapples usually bloom in May, bearing flowers that vary a great deal in color, size, and fragrance. I use American Masterpiece as my archetype. I spent many joyous days photographing crabapple trees at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois.

I consider the crabapple collection at The Morton to be one of the most beautiful, colorful places on Earth during springtime. If you live anywhere near Chicago, you absolutely must see these trees in bloom. Yes, the cherry trees around the tidal basin in Washington D.C. are magnificent, but they are of only one variety and color (not to look a gift horse in the mouth), they can’t hold a candle to the riot of red, pink, purple, white and seemingly every shade in between. It’s good for the soul.

I would advise to consult the arboretum on blooming progress before planning your trip. With our recent warmest-ever March (2012), many trees bloomed 3-4 weeks earlier than usual. Of course, the crabs don’t all bloom at the same time, but there is enough overlap that if timed correctly, you can see 80% of the trees near their peak at one visit.

David crabapple at Crabapple Lake at the Morton Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum’s Crabapple Collection was started in 1924. Part of this collection on the West Side participated in the National Crabapple Evaluation Program which evaluated new and disease-resistant varieties. As a result of the multi-year evaluation and additions, it has transformed into the West Side Malus collection which now contains 60 different kinds and over 140 specimens with highly desirable qualities.

Please excuse the anachronistic table format. I originally coded these pages in html way back in the early 2000s. Many of you were not even born back then!

Redbud Crabapple	Robinson Crabapple	Yunan Crabapple	Pillar Apple
Liset Crabapple	American Masterpiece	Royalty Crabapple	Redbird Crabapple
Prairie Maid Crab	Strawberry Parfait Crab	Sparkler Crab	Profusion Crab
Red Baron Crab	Selkirk Crab	Ruby Luster Crabapple	Rejoice Crabapple

Japanese Flowering Crab	Dolgo Crabapple	Red Peacock Crabapple	Tea Crabapple
Professor Sprenger Crab	Pink Spires Crabapple	Louisa Crabapple	Sugar Tyme Crabapple
Jewelberry Crab	Mary Potter Crabapple	Crabapple	Purple Prince Crab
Sentinel Crabapple	Christmas Holly Crabapple	Klehm Prairie Crabapple	Burgundy Crabapple

Purple Apricot	May’s Delight Crabapple	Adirondack Crabapple	Bob White Crabapple
Henning Crabapple	Ormiston Roy Crabapple	Red Jewel Crabapple	Perfect Purple Crabapple