Weeping crabapple Malus 'Sun Rival'
ABOUT
The Malus 'Sun Rival' is an ornamental crabapple tree known for its elegant appearance and showy attributes. During the spring, the tree is awash with a beautiful display of delicate, soft pink blossoms that fill the air with a light, pleasant fragrance. These blooms are a delightful sight and attract pollinators such as bees to the garden. As the flowering season progresses, the blossoms give way to small, glossy crabapples. The fruits are often a vibrant shade of red or yellow and can add a splash of color to the landscape, while also providing a food source for birds and wildlife. The foliage of this crabapple tree consists of glossy green leaves that form a dense canopy, offering ample shade during sunny days. In the fall, the leaves may change color, presenting a range of warm autumnal hues before they drop. This seasonal transformation adds to the visual interest provided by the tree throughout the year. Moreover, the overall form of the Sun Rival crabapple tree tends to be weeping, with gracefully arching branches that create an attractive silhouette even in winter when the tree is bare. The bark of the tree adds to its visual appeal, with a texture that can range from smooth to slightly rough, often in tones of brown or gray that contrast nicely with the foliage and blossoms. Overall, the Sun Rival crabapple tree is a popular choice for ornamental plantings due to its aesthetically pleasing features, seasonal changes, and relatively low maintenance requirements. Its striking appearance enhances a wide variety of landscape settings, from residential gardens to public parks.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae
Synonyms
Sun Rival Crabapple
Common names
Malus 'Sun Rival'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Malus 'Sun Rival', commonly known as the Crabapple, is generally not toxic to humans. However, the seeds, leaves, and stems of crabapples contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide when chewed and digested. Eating large quantities of these parts can potentially cause symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing and shock. Consumption of a few seeds is unlikely to cause a toxic reaction, but ingesting substantial amounts of the seeds or other parts of the plant containing cyanogenic glycosides can lead to cyanide poisoning.
To pets
The Crabapple, known scientifically as Malus 'Sun Rival', can be toxic to pets if they consume large quantities of the seeds, leaves, or stems of the plant. These parts contain cyanogenic glycosides that can release cyanide when ingested, potentially leading to cyanide poisoning. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning in pets can include vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, seizures, and in extreme cases, shock or even death. While it is unlikely for a pet to eat enough crabapple seeds to cause poisoning, it's important to prevent pets from ingesting these parts of the plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
12-15 feet (3.7-4.6 meters)
Spread
10-12 feet (3-3.7 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
4-8
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Malus 'Sun Rival', commonly known as crabapple, has attractive flowers and fruit, adding aesthetic appeal to gardens and landscapes.
- Wildlife Attraction: Its flowers provide nectar for pollinators, while the fruit can serve as a food source for birds and other wildlife.
- Compact Size: As a smaller tree, crabapple is suitable for gardens with limited space, allowing urban and residential plantings.
- Seasonal Interest: Crabapple trees offer year-round interest with spring blooms, summer foliage, fall fruit, and interesting winter branch structure.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, crabapple trees are relatively drought-resistant, requiring less watering compared to other ornamentals.
- Low Maintenance: These trees typically require minimal pruning and upkeep, making them appealing for those seeking a low-maintenance landscaping option.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Wildlife Shelter: Malus 'Sun Rival' can offer nesting sites and protection for birds within its dense branches.
- Educational Tool: Horticulture programs often use various apple varieties like Malus 'Sun Rival' to teach grafting techniques.
- Aesthetic Pruning Subject: Due to its branching pattern, 'Sun Rival' is ideal for practices like bonsai or topiary.
- Culinary Decoration: The blossoms of the Malus 'Sun Rival' can be used to garnish dishes or for crystallizing as edible flower decorations.
- Craft Projects: The small branches and dried blossoms of the plant can be used in making wreaths or other rustic craft items.
- Natural Dye: The bark and blossoms of 'Sun Rival' can be used to produce natural dyes for fabrics or artwork.
- Photography Subject: Due to its beautiful blooms and unique form, the plant is sought after by photographers as a subject for nature photography.
- Fruit-Based Games: The small apples can be used in traditional games, such as apple bobbing, during harvest festivals.
- Storytelling Prop: In educational settings, parts of the apple tree can be used as props to tell stories about seasons and growth cycles.
- Symbolic Gift: In some cultures, apple trees like Malus 'Sun Rival' are given as gifts representing love and prosperity due to their fruit-bearing nature.
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: The Malus 'Sun Rival', commonly known as the Crabapple tree, bears beautiful blossoms, symbolizing beauty and admiration.
- Renewal: As a deciduous tree, the Crabapple signifies renewal and the start of new beginnings with its cycle of blooming and shedding leaves.
- Love: The Crabapple tree is often associated with love, possibly because of its attractive flowers and the role it plays in myths and folklore as a tree bringing sweetness and affection.
WaterThe weeping crabapple should be watered deeply once a week, providing about 1.5 gallons of water per session. During hot and dry periods, increase the frequency to twice a week, ensuring the soil around the tree is moist but not waterlogged. It is crucial to water the tree slowly, allowing the water to seep down to the roots rather than running off. In the winter, the tree requires less water, and you should only water if the soil is dry to the touch. Adjust your watering schedule based on rainfall, cutting back if there has been significant precipitation.
LightThe weeping crabapple thrives in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day. The best spot for the plant would be an open area, away from larger trees or structures that can create shade. Adequate sunlight is essential for the tree's flowering and fruiting processes.
TemperatureThe weeping crabapple is hardy and can withstand temperature extremes; however, it grows best in zones 4 through 8, which corresponds to a range of -20°F to -30°F in the winter and up to 90°F in the summer. The ideal temperature conditions for vigorous growth would be between 60°F and 75°F.
PruningPruning the weeping crabapple promotes healthy growth, enhances its weeping form, and prevents disease by increasing air circulation. The best time to prune is late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Prune any dead, diseased or crossing branches, and thin out the canopy if it becomes too dense. Typically, an annual pruning session is sufficient to maintain its shape and health.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Weeping Crabapple (Malus 'Sun Rival') thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with a mix of loam, peat, and sand, and prefers a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 for optimal growth.
RepottingWeeping Crabapples, like Malus 'Sun Rival', are typically not repotted often as they are usually planted in the ground; however, younger trees in containers may need repotting every 2-3 years.
Humidity & MistingThe Weeping Crabapple (Malus 'Sun Rival') is adaptable but prefers moderate humidity levels; it does not require specific humidity conditions for growth.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Grow Weeping Crabapple with enough light and space.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, water and mulch well.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleThe weeping crabapple (Malus 'Sun Rival') begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in spring if conditions are suitable with enough warmth and moisture. The seedling grows into a young sapling, which progressively develops a strong root system and woody stem. As it matures, it develops distinctive weeping branches and lush foliage, and after a few years, it starts to flower in spring, showing off its beautiful pink or white blossoms that are attractive to pollinators. Following pollination, the flowers develop into small crabapples by late summer or fall, which can serve as a food source for wildlife before dropping and potentially giving rise to new plants. With each passing year, the tree continues to grow and produce flowers and fruit annually, reaching a mature height of 10-15 feet. Without any significant disturbances or diseases, the weeping crabapple can live and thrive for several decades, going through these cycles of growth, flowering, and fruiting.
PropogationPropogation time
Late winter to early spring
Propogation: The Malus 'Sun Rival', commonly known as the weeping crabapple, is typically propagated by grafting, which is the most popular method for this particular variety. Grafting is done during the dormant season, which often falls in late winter to early spring. This process involves taking a scion, a young shoot or twig, from the 'Sun Rival' and attaching it to a rootstock of another compatible apple variety that has been selected for its hardiness and vigor. The scion is carefully cut at an angle to match a cut made on the rootstock, and the two pieces are bound together, often with grafting tape or wax, to encourage the tissues to fuse. Over time, the scion grows and develops the characteristics of the 'Sun Rival' crabapple, while benefitting from the robust root system of the rootstock.
