Malus spectabilis 'Plena' - Evergreen Trees Direct

Malus spectabilis 'Plena'

$720.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 100L

100L

Current Stock Height Guides

100L: Enquire within for height guide information.

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: 3m to 6m

Malus spectabilis 'Plena' 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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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Malus spectabilis 'Plena'

Malus spectabilis 'Plena' is the double flowered form of the Chinese Crabapple, a deciduous ornamental tree with an upright frame that rounds out as it ages. Spring brings a heavy flush of soft pink double blossom along every branch, followed by glossy dark green leaves and small decorative fruit.

It reaches 3 to 6 metres tall and wide, adding roughly 30 to 60 centimetres a year. Full sun gives the best flowering, though it accepts part shade. Any well drained soil will do. Cold winters sharpen the display, so it suits Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, the southern tablelands and the Adelaide Hills.

Most buyers plant it as a single specimen on a lawn or in a courtyard where the spring flowering can be seen at close range. It also holds a line in avenue rows at 3 metres, or sits well in a mixed cool climate border. A 100 litre tree already carries its branch structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Chinese Crabapple 'Plena'

What is Malus spectabilis 'Plena'?

Malus spectabilis 'Plena' is the double flowered form of the Chinese Crabapple, a small deciduous tree in the rose family. It carries clusters of soft pink double blossom through spring, glossy dark green summer foliage, and small ornamental fruit. Mature size is 3 to 6 metres tall and wide, with a rounded, slightly upright crown.

How big does Chinese Crabapple 'Plena' grow?

It reaches 3 to 6 metres tall and 3 to 6 metres wide at maturity, with the final size depending on soil depth and how much water it gets through summer. Annual growth is around 30 to 60 centimetres. Allow 3 to 4 metres between trees so each canopy can fill out evenly.

When does Chinese Crabapple 'Plena' flower?

Flowering runs through spring, generally September to November depending on how far south you are. The double pink blooms open from deeper pink buds and hold on the tree longer than single flowered crabapples do. Small decorative fruit follows over summer and autumn, and the leaves colour before they drop.

Is it evergreen or deciduous?

It is deciduous. The tree defoliates through the colder months after an autumn colour change, then leafs out again as the spring flowers finish. The bare winter framework lets light through to whatever is planted beneath, which is one reason it works well in courtyards and on the north side of a house.

Does it need sun or shade?

Full sun gives the heaviest flowering and the best autumn colour. It will grow in part shade, but expect fewer blooms and a looser habit. Six hours of direct sun a day is a sensible minimum. Shelter from hot, dry afternoon wind helps the blossom hold longer through spring.

Is it frost tolerant?

Yes. Chinese Crabapple is fully frost hardy once established and flowers better where winters are genuinely cold. It suits Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, the southern tablelands, the Adelaide Hills and cooler parts of southern Queensland. In warm coastal and subtropical gardens the flowering is lighter because there is little winter chill.

How do I care for Chinese Crabapple 'Plena'?

Water deeply through the first two summers, after which occasional deep soakings are enough. Mulch out to the drip line and keep it clear of the trunk. Prune straight after flowering to shape the tree and remove crossing or dead wood, since the following season's flowers form on older wood. A general fertiliser in late winter covers its feeding.

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 spectabilis 'Plena' works in an:

Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.

Is Malus spectabilis 'Plena' Evergreen or Deciduous?

Malus spectabilis 'Plena' is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

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

Mature Width: 3m to 6m

Malus spectabilis 'Plena' is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Growth Rate of Malus spectabilis 'Plena'

Malus spectabilis 'Plena' 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 spectabilis 'Plena'

Is Malus spectabilis 'Plena' frost tolerant?

Malus spectabilis 'Plena' is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Malus spectabilis 'Plena' Flower?

Malus spectabilis ‘Plena’ produces masses of fully double, soft pink to rose-pink blossoms in mid-spring. The large, ruffled flowers appear in dense clusters along the branches, creating a sumptuous, romantic display that is one of the most ornamental of all crabapples.

Does Malus spectabilis 'Plena' flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Semi-double

Flower Colour:

Pink

Is Malus spectabilis 'Plena' an Australian Native Tree?

No

Malus spectabilis 'Plena' is Native to China, where Malus spectabilis grows naturally in temperate woodlands and cultivated landscapes.

What is the Wildlife Value of Malus spectabilis 'Plena' ?

Its richly petalled, nectar-bearing flowers attract bees, butterflies and spring pollinators, while the small fruits that follow provide food for birds into early winter. The branching canopy also offers shelter and light nesting opportunities for small birds, contributing positively to biodiversity in ornamental gardens.

How much Sunlight does Malus spectabilis 'Plena' need?

Malus spectabilis 'Plena' will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Malus spectabilis ‘Plena’ performs best in well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral loam or sandy loam soils. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained positions unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance aeration and drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering once mature to support strong flowering, healthy canopy growth and reliable fruit set.

Is Malus spectabilis 'Plena' Drought Tolerant?

Is Malus spectabilis 'Plena' Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, and once established ‘Plena’ offers moderate drought tolerance. It performs best in well-drained soils and benefits from deep, occasional watering during extended dry spells to maintain strong foliage, abundant flowering and steady seasonal health.

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How To Plant Your Malus spectabilis 'Plena'

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 spectabilis 'Plena'

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 spectabilis 'Plena' is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Malus spectabilis 'Plena'

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: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

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 scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Malus spectabilis 'Plena' in Different Soil

Malus spectabilis 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

How often should I water Chinese Crabapple 'Plena'?
Water regularly during the first few years, and then as needed to maintain soil moisture.

Is this tree suitable for small gardens?
Yes, it is a moderately sized tree and can thrive in smaller outdoor spaces.

Does it produce fruit, and is it edible?
'Plena' produces small decorative fruits, but they are typically not consumed.

Can I plant Chinese Crabapple 'Plena' in a container?
While it's possible, it is best suited for planting in the ground to reach its full potential.