Crab apples (Malus cultivars) make exceptional pollinators for other fruiting apples (M. domesticus cultivars). The attractive blossom in late March and April is followed by small, sharp-tasting fruit suited for making jelly.

The tree is grown in reasonably fertile, moist and well-drained soil in full sun or even light shade. It is usually trained as feathered trees needing little formative pruning. Its height depends on the rootstock and cultivar vigour. The trees on dwarfing rootstocks are more compact.

Cultivars

Malus ‘Harry Baker’; 5-6m (16-19½ft) with dark pink blossom and dark red fruit.

Malus ‘Gorgeous’: 3-4m (10-13ft) with white to pink blossom and large red fruits.

Malus ‘Jelly King’ (‘Mattfru’); grows to 5m (16ft); white flowers with orange and pink fruits.

Malus ‘Laura’: 4-8m (13-26ft); an upright, compact tree with large maroon fruit.

M. ‘Red Obelisk’ (‘Dvp Obel’) which grows to 5m (16ft); compact with conical red fruit.