Malus yunnanensis 'Wychwood Ruby' – Wychwood Ruby Crab Apple

Malus yunnanensis 'Wychwood Ruby' is a small deciduous crab apple grown for one thing above all others, the flowering. In early spring the whole tree disappears under masses of double ruby-pink blooms, held so densely that the branches are hard to see. Very few small trees give a display of that intensity. It has an upright conical habit and stays compact at around 4 metres tall by 2.5 metres wide, which is what makes it useful. Most crab apples spread to 4 or 5 metres across and need real room. This one holds a narrow, tidy shape, so it fits a courtyard, a narrow side garden or an entry, and it can be repeated down a driveway without the canopies running into each other. The colour does not stop with the flowers. New growth flushes ruby-red, small red fruit follows through summer and is taken by birds, and the foliage turns through ruby and red tones in autumn before dropping. It is in leaf, flower, fruit or colour for most of the year. Fully deciduous and genuinely frost hardy, it suits cold-climate gardens across the Victorian high country, the NSW tablelands, Tasmania and the Adelaide Hills, as well as temperate coastal districts. Full sun is essential for the heaviest flowering. 'Wychwood Ruby' is a PBR-protected cultivar. Frequently Asked Questions About Wychwood Ruby Crab Apple What is Malus yunnanensis 'Wychwood Ruby'?It is a small deciduous ornamental crab apple in the rose family, selected for its double ruby-pink spring flowers and compact upright form. The species Malus yunnanensis comes from south-west China. 'Wychwood Ruby' is a named PBR-protected cultivar of it. How big does it grow?Around 4 metres tall by 2.5 metres wide at maturity, in an upright conical shape. That is noticeably narrower than most crab apples, which typically spread to 4 or 5 metres, so it suits gardens where width is the constraint. When does it flower and what does it look like?Early spring. The flowers are double, meaning many petals rather than the single five-petal blossom of most crab apples, and a deep ruby-pink. They open in such quantity that the tree is covered from top to bottom. It is one of the heaviest flowering small trees available. How is it different to other crab apples?Two things. The habit is upright and conical at 2.5 metres wide, where Malus floribunda and Malus ioensis 'Plena' both spread to 4 metres or more. And the flowers are double ruby-pink rather than the white or pale pink singles common in the group, so the display reads much stronger from a distance. Does it fruit, and is the fruit edible?Yes, small red fruit follows the flowering through summer. Like all crab apples it is edible but very tart, so it is grown as an ornamental rather than for eating. Birds take the fruit readily, which is part of the appeal. Does it get autumn colour?Yes. The foliage turns through ruby and red tones before dropping, and new spring growth also flushes ruby-red. Colour is strongest in districts with cold nights through autumn. Where does it grow best in Australia?It is a cold-climate tree at heart and performs strongly through the Victorian high country, Ballarat and Bendigo, the NSW tablelands, Tasmania and the Adelaide Hills. It also grows well in temperate coastal districts including Melbourne and Sydney. It needs winter chill to flower properly, so it is not suited to the subtropics. How do I care for it?Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Water deeply through the first two summers, then only in extended dry spells. Feed with a slow-release fertiliser in early spring. Prune in late winter while dormant, removing crossing or inward branches to keep the conical shape open. Watch for aphids on new growth in spring and for apple scab in wet seasons.