Snowcloud Crabapple Malus 'Snowcloud'
ABOUT
The plant known as the 'Snowcloud' Crabapple is distinguished by its abundant and scenic floral display. This deciduous tree bursts into a profusion of white blossoms in spring, which offers a stark and beautiful contrast against its green foliage. The flowers are not single but grouped, creating clusters that give the appearance of a cloud of snow resting on the branches. After the blooming period, the flowers give way to small, ornamental fruits that can attract various bird species to the garden. The leaves of the 'Snowcloud' Crabapple are also noteworthy, being a lush green in color with a shiny surface. As the seasons change, the foliage may turn to hues of yellow or orange, providing visual interest throughout the year. The bark of the tree has a smooth texture with a mature color that can be described as grayish, offering a subtle aesthetic that complements its bold floral and foliage characteristics. This particular variety is admired for its rounded crown that takes on a graceful and slightly spreading form. The overall structure is dense with a neat arrangement of branches, which contributes to its use as an ornamental specimen in many landscapes. The 'Snowcloud' Crabapple's elegant and dense appearance makes it a popular choice for both its springtime beauty and its year-round garden interest.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae
Synonyms
Snowcloud Crabapple
Common names
Malus 'Snowcloud'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Malus 'Snowcloud', commonly known as flowering crabapple, is generally not toxic to humans. However, the seeds, leaves, and stems of the tree contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide when chewed or digested. While small quantities may not cause harm, ingestion of significant amounts can lead to symptoms of cyanide poisoning, which include headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, and potentially more severe effects such as seizures, coma, and even death in extreme cases. It is most often the seeds that pose a risk if ingested in large quantities, but it is typically unlikely for a person to consume enough to cause harm.
To pets
The flowering crabapple is not generally considered toxic to pets. Similar to humans, the seeds, leaves, and stems do contain cyanogenic glycosides that can lead to cyanide poisoning if ingested in large amounts. Symptoms of this type of poisoning in pets might include panting, difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, and shock. In severe cases, ingestion could be fatal. As with humans, the likelihood of a pet consuming a harmful quantity of seeds is quite low, but caution should still be exercised to prevent pets from ingesting plant parts.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters)
Spread
10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
5-8
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Features a profusion of white blossoms that contribute to its ornamental appeal, enhancing garden aesthetics.
- Pollinator Attraction: Attracts bees and other pollinators, supporting local ecosystems.
- Shade Provider: Can offer a pleasant shade in garden settings during the sunny months.
- Seasonal Interest: Adds visual interest throughout multiple seasons with its changing foliage and blooms.
- Fruit Production: Produces small apple-like fruits that can be used for decorative purposes or as wildlife food.
- Compact Size: Ideal for small garden spaces or urban environments due to its relatively small stature.
- Disease Resistance: Often bred to be resistant to common apple diseases, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal pruning and upkeep once established, suitable for low-maintenance landscaping.
- Wildlife Habitat: Provides shelter and food for birds and other wildlife throughout various seasons.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Wildlife Habitat: The dense foliage of Malus 'Snowcloud' provides excellent shelter for birds to nest and find protection from the elements and predators.
- Photography Aid: The stunning white blooms of the 'Snowcloud' make it an ideal subject for nature and garden photography, particularly in spring.
- Educational Resource: This variety can be used as a teaching tool in horticultural programs, demonstrating grafting techniques and the diversity of ornamental apples.
- Craft Material: Dried branches with small apples can be used in floral arrangements or as part of seasonal wreaths and other crafts.
- Sound Barrier: When planted in a dense row, the 'Snowcloud' can help reduce the amount of noise that filters into a yard from a busy road.
- Boundary Definition: These trees can be planted in a line to clearly demarcate property boundaries in a visually subtle manner.
- Culinary Experiments: While not common, the small fruits can occasionally be used in jams or jellies as an experiment in home cooking.
- Bonsai Specimen: Some enthusiasts may try to create a bonsai from the 'Snowcloud', testing their skill at miniaturizing this ornamental apple tree.
- Privacy Screening: This dense, flowering tree can be used to create a living privacy screen around a patio or bordering a property.
- Urban Green Space: Malus 'Snowcloud' trees can contribute to urban biodiversity and provide small oases of greenery within a concrete landscape.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Crabapple tree is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Crabapple tree is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Beauty: The Malus 'Snowcloud', commonly known as the flowering crabapple, often symbolizes beauty due to its stunning spring blossoms that are both delicate and showy.
- Renewal: As a spring bloomer, the flowering crabapple signifies renewal and the start of new beginnings, echoing the season's rejuvenating effect on nature.
- Love: The flowering crabapple's attractive blooms are also seen as a representation of love, perhaps for their romantic connotations and the heart-like shape of some of its leaves.
- Purity: The "Snowcloud" variety, with its white or pale flowers, suggests purity and innocence, linking to the immaculate and untouched quality of a snow-covered landscape.
WaterThe Snowcloud crabapple should be watered deeply so that the water reaches the roots, particularly during its first growing season to establish a strong root system. As a general rule, provide about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, but always check the soil moisture; it should be moist, not saturated. During hot, dry periods, increase watering frequency to maintain consistent soil moisture. Over the winter months, watering can be scaled back and should only be done if there's a dry spell. It's better to water less frequently and thoroughly than little and often, aiming for the equivalent of about 15-20 gallons per week during the active growing season.
LightThe Snowcloud crabapple requires full sun to thrive, meaning it should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. It will perform best in a location that is exposed to sunlight throughout the day. A spot where the tree is not overshadowed by buildings or other taller trees would be ideal. Ensure the plant is placed where it will receive morning sun, which is less intense, to reduce the risk of leaf scorch.
TemperatureSnowcloud crabapples are hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, from winter lows of approximately -20 to -30°F to summer highs well into the 90°F range. They thrive in the temperatures commonly found in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8. The ideal temperature range for active growth is between 60 to 75°F in spring and fall.
PruningPrune the Snowcloud crabapple to maintain its shape and health, removing any dead, diseased, or crossing branches. The best time to prune is during the late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Light pruning can also be done in summer if necessary. This crabapple variety may also require thinning to encourage air circulation within the canopy.
CleaningAs needed
SoilCrabapple 'Snowcloud' thrives in well-draining, loamy soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. For the best soil mix, combine two parts garden soil, one part compost, and one part sand or perlite to ensure proper drainage and fertility.
RepottingCrabapple 'Snowcloud' trees planted in containers should be repotted every 2-3 years or when they become root-bound. For mature trees planted outdoors, repotting is not applicable.
Humidity & MistingCrabapple 'Snowcloud' is adaptable to a range of outdoor humidity levels and does not require specific humidity conditions for growth.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Plant in a large pot with drainage; place by a sunny window.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, ensure good air circulation, water regularly.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleThe Snowcloud Crabapple (Malus 'Snowcloud') begins its life as a seed, which upon germination, starts the seedling stage, developing a root system and its first leaves. As it grows, it enters the vegetative stage, where it focuses on leaf and branch growth, establishing a strong framework for future flowering. In the spring, during its reproductive stage, the tree blossoms with white flowers, attracting pollinators for fruit set. Following pollination, the tree produces small crabapples, which mature over the summer and are typically harvested in the fall, completing the fruiting stage. As a perennial, the Snowcloud Crabapple then enters dormancy during the winter months, conserving energy. With the return of warmer weather, the cycle repeats, with the tree blossoming and producing fruit year after year.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Malus 'Snowcloud', known as Flowering Crabapple, is best propagated during the dormant season, which generally falls in late winter to early spring. The most popular method for propagating this ornamental tree is by grafting. This involves taking a piece of the Flowering Crabapple, known as a scion, which is usually a twig or a bud, and attaching it to a rootstock, which is a young root or trunk of another crabapple variety. The scion is carefully cut at an angle to match a corresponding cut on the rootstock, and the two are joined together with grafting tape or a similar material to hold the joint in place while it heals and fuses together. This method leverages the mature characteristics of the 'Snowcloud' scion, such as its blossoms and growth habit, while benefitting from the disease resistance and hardiness of the chosen rootstock. Grafting is a precise skill and is often performed by experienced gardeners or nursery professionals to assure a successful union and subsequent growth.
