Malus 'Snowdrift' (Snowdrift Crabapple)


Michael's Opinion

This tree is an all year round beauty. In the spring, it bears a plume of white flowers, in the summer it beholds lustrous green leaves, and in the autumn, canary-yellow foliage with small, attractive orange fruits are visible. This tree is the perfect lawn specimen or garden accent. It is also very diverse and can be grown in more densely populated urban environments.

Botanical Information

FamilyRosaceae
GenusMalus
Cultivar'Snowdrift'
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (deciduous)
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone4 - 7
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone3a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°F)- 40
Height6 m
Spread3 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodMay

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionAn ornamental deciduous tree with showy, grey-brown exfoliating bark. Glossy green leaves appear in the spring through summer, pink flower buds are produced in the spring that emerge into white bloom Orange-red fruits and yellow foliage are dominant in autumn.
ID CharacteristicExfoliating bark, white flowers and orange-red fruits.
Shape Upright and round.
LandscapeUsed as a specimen and an ornamental tree because of its attractive bloom in spring. It can be planted as an individual or in groups. The snowdrift can survive and even thrive in dense urban areas and is relatively adaptable.
PropagationCan be propagated by softwood cuttings, grafting or budding.
CultivationShould be grown in full sun and well drained, moist soil.
PestsTrees are susceptible to fireblight and scab.
Notable SpecimensWeldon Library, University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada. The A. M. Cuddy Gardens, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada.
HabitatHorticultural origin.
Bark/Stem DescriptionBark is grey-brown, exfoliating and rough.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionThe flowering buds are generally small, pink, and round. They appear in early April then open white in May.
Leaf DescriptionGlossy, green foliage in spring and summer and crisp yellow in autumn. The leaves grow 5 - 7 centimetres in length. The leaf margins are described as serrate, serrulate to crenate.
Flower DescriptionThe flowers are small, five-petaled, white with a yellow center. Snowdrift's fl bloom are what makes the tree so popular as an ornamental specimen or street tree.
Fruit DescriptionThe fruit is 15 mm in size, fleshy, orange-red, and is apparent in autumn. The fruit is attractive to song birds.
Colour DescriptionBloom is white, bark is grey-brown, buds are a mauve pink, and leaves are a glossy green in summer and light yellow in autumn.
Texture DescriptionThe tree has a medium to coarse texture.

Photographs