Sparkler Crabapple – Malus ‘Sparkler’
Sparkler Crabapple is 58 years old
‘Sparkler’ crabapple‘s rose-pink flowers are a spring highlight. Newer varities are more disease resistant, but this spreading tree still yields deep red fruits and winter food for birds. Sparkler is an old variety that is susceptible to apple-scab [3]
Like almost all crabs, Sparkler thrives in full sun and grows best in well drained, slightly acidic soils (pH 5.5-6.5). Most crabapple selections tolerate the cold winters and hot summers prevalent in the American Midwest.
The specimen pictured here is a venerable resident of the flowering plant section on the Morton Arboretum’s west side and was involved in the National crabapple evaluation program which evaluated new and disease-resistant varieties. 
References
- Morton Arboretum, Crabapple: A Tree For All Seasons
- Sparkler Crabapple, Morton Arboretum acc. 143-55*1, photos ©Bruce Marlin
- Morton Arboretum, Crabapples for the Home Landscape
Family Rosaceae – Rose Family; Fruit Trees
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