Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) - Evergreen Trees Direct

Malus floribunda - Evergreen Trees Direct

Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple)

$250.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L 100L 150L 200L 300L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 1.5m – 2m Approx.
100L: 1.5m – 2.4m Approx.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 4m to 7m (approx.)

Mature Width: 4m to 6m

Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Shipping

Shipping is calculated at checkout based on the pallet space your order occupies in the truck and your delivery location.

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Contact

Have a question or a list to send through to us?

Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple)

Malus floribunda produces one of the heaviest blossom displays of any small tree, with deep pink buds opening to soft white flowers that cover the entire canopy in spring. Small ornamental crabapples follow in autumn and hold on the bare branches well into winter for the birds.

The Japanese Crabapple grows to 4 to 7 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide at 30 to 60 centimetres per year, forming a broad rounded canopy on a clean trunk. That scale suits front gardens, street verges and courtyard planting where a full-sized shade tree would be too much.

Malus floribunda is frost hardy, surviving heavy and frequent frost without damage, and flowers most heavily where winters are genuinely cold. It grows in full sun and tolerates a wide range of soils, needing only a light winter prune to keep the canopy open.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Malus floribunda

How big does Malus floribunda grow?

The Japanese Crabapple reaches 4 to 7 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide, forming a broad rounded canopy. It suits front gardens, verges and courtyards.

When does Malus floribunda flower?

Deep pink buds open to soft white blossom through spring, covering the entire canopy. It is one of the heaviest-flowering ornamental crabapples grown.

Is the fruit edible?

The small crabapples are edible but very tart, and are usually left for the birds or used for jelly. They persist on the bare branches into winter.

Is Malus floribunda deciduous?

Yes. It is fully deciduous, with foliage colouring warmly in autumn before dropping to reveal the fruit and branch structure.

Is it frost hardy?

Yes. It survives heavy and frequent frost without damage, and cold winters actually improve the following spring's blossom display.

Does a crabapple help pollinate apple trees?

Yes. Crabapples flower prolifically over a long period and are widely used as universal pollinators for domestic apple varieties planted nearby.

How far apart should I plant Malus floribunda?

Plant 4 to 5 metres apart as individual feature trees so each canopy develops fully, or 4 metres apart for a blossom avenue.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Street Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes
Shade Tree
Avenue Planting

Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) works in an:

Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.

Is Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) Evergreen or Deciduous?

Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 4m to 7m (approx.)

Mature Width: 4m to 6m

Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Growth Rate of Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple)

Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple)

Is Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) frost tolerant?

Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) Flower?

Malus floribunda produces masses of deep pink buds that open into soft shell-pink to white blossoms in mid-spring. The flowers cover the branches in dense clusters, creating a spectacular, cloud-like display that is among the most admired of all flowering crabapples.

Does Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Clustered
Fragrant
Pollinator-attracting

Flower Colour:

Pink

Is Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) an Australian Native Tree?

No

Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) is Native to Japan, where it grows naturally in woodlands and mountain slopes.

What is the Wildlife Value of Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) ?

Its prolific blossoms attract bees, butterflies and a wide range of pollinating insects, while the small, colourful fruits that follow provide food for birds well into autumn. The branching canopy also offers shelter and nesting opportunities for small birds, supporting biodiversity in urban and ornamental gardens.

How much Sunlight does Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) need?

Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Malus floribunda performs best in well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral loam or sandy loam soils. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained sites unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to increase aeration and drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support strong root health, prolific flowering and reliable fruit set.

Is Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) Drought Tolerant?

Is Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, and once established Japanese Crabapple develops moderate drought tolerance. It performs best in well-drained soils and benefits from deep, occasional watering during extended dry periods to maintain healthy foliage, abundant flowering and steady fruiting.

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How To Plant Your Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple)

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple)

Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple)

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection for psyllids or scale in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Malus floribunda (Japanese Crabapple) in Different Soil

Malus floribunda performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

When is the best time to plant Malus floribunda?
Planting in early spring or fall is ideal for allowing the tree to establish its roots in moderate temperatures.
How often should I water my Japanese Crabapple?
Regular watering is crucial, particularly during dry periods and in the first few years of growth.
Is Malus floribunda susceptible to any pests or diseases?
While generally robust, it can be prone to common apple pests and diseases, such as apple scab and fire blight.
Can Malus floribunda be used for fruit production?
The fruits are mainly ornamental and are not typically used for human consumption but are excellent for wildlife.
What makes Malus floribunda a good choice for ornamental planting?
Its stunning spring blossoms, attractive fall foliage, and manageable size make it a popular choice for adding ornamental value to a variety of landscapes.