Crabapple Profusion Malus × moerlandsii 'Profusion'
ABOUT
The Profusion Crabapple is an ornamental plant known for its striking appearance, primarily due to its abundant flowering and attractive foliage. In spring, the tree is covered in clusters of deep red buds that burst into a profusion of rich, pinkish-red flowers, bringing a vibrant splash of color to any landscape. As the blossoms fade, the ovate leaves emerge with a purplish or reddish tint before gradually turning green as the season progresses. As the flowers give way, small, round fruits develop. These tiny crabapples are usually dark red to purplish in color, adding to the plant's decorative appeal through the summer and into the fall. The fruits are a magnet for various bird species, offering them a feast and an opportunity for birdwatchers to enjoy their presence. In autumn, the foliage undergoes another dramatic change, showcasing a range of colors from bronze to red, creating a warm and inviting display. The crabapple's branching habit gives it a pleasing silhouette that stands out especially in the winter months when the leaves have fallen, and the smooth, glossy bark with a marbled appearance is more visible. Overall, the Profusion Crabapple is celebrated for its year-round visual interest from its springtime blossoms to its autumnal foliage and ornamental fruits. Its aesthetic qualities make it a popular choice for landscaping projects where seasonal color and natural beauty are desired.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae
Synonyms
Profusion Crabapple, Purple Crabapple
Common names
Malus × moerlandsii 'Profusion'.
ToxicityTo humans
The common name for Malus × moerlandsii 'Profusion' is Crabapple. Crabapple trees themselves are not toxic to humans. However, the seeds, leaves, and stems of crabapples contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide when ingested. The fruit flesh is generally considered safe when eaten in moderate quantities, but consuming large amounts of seeds can be harmful. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning include headache, dizziness, confusion, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, nausea, and potentially seizures or cardiac arrest in severe cases.
To pets
Crabapple is the common name for Malus × moerlandsii 'Profusion'. Similar to humans, the most toxic parts of the crabapple plant to pets are the seeds, leaves, and stems, due to cyanogenic glycosides that can release cyanide when ingested. While the fruit's flesh is typically safe for pets in small amounts, ingestion of large quantities of the seeds can lead to symptoms such as drooling, breathing difficulty, diarrhea, seizures, and in extreme cases, even death. If a pet ingests a significant amount of crabapple seeds or other plant parts, it is important to seek veterinary care immediately.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
15-20 feet (4.5-6 meters)
Spread
15-20 feet (4.5-6 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
4-8
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: The crabapple 'Profusion' is known for its attractive flowers that bloom in the spring, offering vibrant pink to reddish-purple colors.
- Pollinator Friendly: It serves as a food source for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, thus supporting biodiversity.
- Seasonal Interest: This plant has a long season of interest with blossoms in spring, followed by colorful fruit and autumn foliage.
- Wildlife Habitat: Provides food and shelter for birds and small mammals which can feed on the crabapples.
- Low Maintenance: 'Profusion' crabapples are relatively low maintenance trees, requiring minimal care once established.
- Urban Tolerant: It's adaptable to a range of urban conditions, including pollution and compacted soils.
- Compact Size: The tree's manageable size makes it suitable for small gardens and urban landscapes.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, it can endure periods of drought with less need for watering.
- Erosion Control: The root system can help stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.
- Versatility: Can be used for various landscaping purposes, including as a specimen tree or in mass plantings for greater visual impact.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Crabapple jelly: 'Profusion' crabapples can be used to make a tart and flavorful jelly that pairs well with meats or can be used as a spread.
- Natural dye: The deep red foliage and fruit can be used to make a natural dye for fabrics or paper.
- Wildlife habitat: The dense foliage and ample fruit provide shelter and food for birds and other wildlife.
- Photography subject: Because of their vibrant flowers and fruit, 'Profusion' crabapples are often used as a subject in botanical and landscape photography.
- Winter interest: The fruits often linger on the branches after the leaves have fallen, providing visual interest in the landscape during the dull winter months.
- Craft material: Dried branches and fruits can be used in floral arrangements or as decorations for wreaths and other crafts.
- Culinary decoration: The small colorful fruits can be used as a natural and attractive garnish for food plating.
- Educational tool: 'Profusion' crabapple trees can be used in educational settings, like schools or botanical gardens, to teach about plant biology and the importance of pollinators.
- Bonsai: With proper care, 'Profusion' crabapple can be grown as a bonsai tree, offering an attractive miniature version of the tree for enthusiasts.
- Tree grafting experiments: Because they are hardy and have attractive flowers, 'Profusion' crabapple roots can be used as rootstock for grafting other apple varieties.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Crabapple is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Crabapple is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Beauty and Grace: The Malus × moerlandsii 'Profusion', commonly known as the Crabapple, often symbolizes beauty and grace due to its stunning pink to reddish-purple flowers that bloom profusely in spring, creating a beautiful and graceful display.
- Renewal and New Beginnings: As crabapples are among the first to bloom in spring, they are frequently associated with the renewal of nature and the cycle of life, representing new beginnings and fresh starts.
- Love and Fertility: With their abundant fruit, crabapple trees are sometimes linked to fertility and can also represent love and romance, drawing parallels to the nurturing and sustaining aspects of relationships.
- Peace and Goodwill: The crabapple tree's fruit and blossoms provide sustenance and beauty, which are often seen as offerings of peace and goodwill towards others.
WaterThe Profusion Crabapple tree should be watered deeply and thoroughly to encourage a strong root system, especially during its first growing season. After establishment, it generally needs around 1 inch of water per week, either from rainfall or supplemental watering. In the absence of rain, provide about 15-20 gallons of water once a week directly to the root zone of the tree, avoiding the foliage to prevent disease. During hot and dry periods, you may need to water twice a week to maintain soil moisture.
LightThe Profusion Crabapple thrives in full sun, meaning it requires at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to perform best. It should be planted in a spot where it can receive unfiltered sunlight throughout the day, as insufficient light can lead to fewer blooms and a weakened structure.
TemperatureThe Profusion Crabapple is hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures. It can survive in temperatures as low as -20 to -30 degrees Fahrenheit during dormancy in winter, and it can endure high summer temperatures typical of temperate regions. Ideally, this tree grows best in temperatures that commonly range between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
PruningThe Profusion Crabapple benefits from pruning to maintain its shape, remove dead or diseased wood, and encourage better air circulation through the canopy. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Aim to remove any crossing branches or those that grow inward toward the center of the tree, and thin the canopy lightly if necessary to let light penetrate.
CleaningAs needed
SoilCrabapple 'Profusion' thrives in well-draining loamy soil, enriched with organic matter, with an ideal pH range of 5.5 to 7.5. A mix of two parts loam, one part peat, and one part sand or perlite is recommended to provide the proper drainage and nutrients.
RepottingCrabapple 'Profusion' is typically a garden tree and not commonly repotted. Instead, it is planted in the landscape where it can grow without the need for repotting.
Humidity & MistingCrabapple 'Profusion' tolerates a wide range of humidity levels and does not require specific conditions as long as it's planted outdoors in its natural environment.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Growing 'Profusion' crabapple trees indoors is not recommended due to their size.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-draining soil, water deeply and mulch.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleThe life of the Crabapple 'Profusion' begins with seed germination, which occurs in a suitable environment of moisture and temperature, leading to the emergence of a seedling. The seedling then develops into a young sapling as it establishes roots and begins to grow leaves and branches. As the sapling matures into a tree, it enters a vegetative state where it focuses on growth and root expansion. Following the vegetative stage, the Crabapple 'Profusion' enters the reproductive phase, characterized by the blooming of deep red to purple flowers that attract pollinators for fruit setting. After pollination, the tree produces small, ornamental crabapples that gradually mature, eventually falling to the ground or being consumed by wildlife, which then disperse the seeds. As the tree ages, it reaches senescence where growth slows, and it may become more susceptible to diseases and environmental stresses until it eventually dies.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Crabapple 'Profusion' is a cultivar derived from a type of crabapple tree known for its attractive blooms and foliage. It can be propagated most effectively through grafting, particularly during the dormant season, which generally falls in late winter to early spring. In grafting, a piece of the 'Profusion' crabapple, known as the scion, which contains the buds of the desired variety, is joined to a rootstock, typically a hardy crabapple species that provides the root system. The cut surfaces of both the scion and the rootstock are aligned so that the cambium layers, the active growing layers just below the bark, are in contact with each other. This enables the two pieces to grow together and form a union. After grafting, the join is usually wrapped with grafting tape or a similar material, and the scion is often covered with a grafting wax to prevent drying out. This method is commonly used in nursery settings to perpetuate the unique characteristics of the 'Profusion' crabapple.
