Malus 'Roberts Crab'
crab apple (syn. Malus Dr Campbells)
Delivery options
- Standard £7.95
This plant is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: May
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Exceptionally large, dark purple-black fruit make this self-fertile crab apple an unusual addition to the garden. The abundant pink flowers in spring contrast well against the slightly bronzed new leaves. In late summer the dark fruits ripen, developing to the size of small apples. The very dark flesh makes delicious jams, jellies and is also very good for juicing, keeping its dark colour. It is thought this variety was orignally developed for cider, but the flavoursome juice can be drunk on its own or blended with other varieties.
When planting your flowering crab, prepare a hole up to three times the diameter of its root system. Fork over the base of the pit in readiness, incorporating plenty of organic matter into the backfill and planting hole. Avoiding frozen and waterlogged soil, trees should be planted out as they arrive. If you've ordered a bare root tree, soak the roots in a bucket of water for half an hour prior to planting, or if this is not possible, they can be heeled in temporarily, covering their roots with soil, or potted up. Choose a sheltered spot to protect emerging blossom. Remove dead, diseased and crossing branches while the tree is dormant during the winter months.