Malus hupehensis
Hupeh crab, Tea crab apple
- Height × spread
- 13m × 6m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Spring, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This will eventually make a medium-sized tree around 13m (42ft) height. The branches are held rather upright and give a stiff appearance. It is lovely in late April or May when, together with the fresh young green foliage, it is covered in large white, fragrant blossoms that come from pink buds. There is greenish-yellow autumn fruit, red-hued where it is exposed to sunshine. Finally, there is exceptionally good scarlet and gold autumn colour. This is considered to be a particularly fine flowering crab. The Chinese make a drink from the leaves which they refer to as red tea.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Red-gold
- Stem colour
- Brown
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, sweet
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 13m
- Spread
- 6m
- Height in 10 years
- 4m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Scented garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Architectural, Bee attraction, Bird attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
AutumnNow
Autumn - late · Outdoors
Apply mulch
Spread organic material around the plant being careful not to bury its crown, or to put the mulch above the point at which the plant has been grafted in the case of trees.
A mulch is a covering that can: protect the soil surface from rain, heat and cold; deter weeds; provide nutrients. Organic indicates that material has vegetative origin e.g. manure, compost. Synthetics i.e. plastics, or stones are often called mulches.
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.
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