Admiration

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Malus Admiration is a naturally dwarf crab-apple tree, which grows very slowly with a compact upright habit. It is initially highly columnar, becoming more vase-shaped as it gets older.

Malus Admiration has an exceptional blossom display, which rivals many a flowering cherry in the intensity of its blossom - particularly given its small size.  Not surprisingly it is also a useful pollinator of late-flowering apple trees.

The small crimson berry-like fruitlets are borne in abundance, and persist on the tree into early December. Their size makes them popular with birds such as thrushes and blackbirds which can eat them whole.

Overall this is one of the best crab-apples if space is limited.

Admiration crab-apple trees for sale

All our pot-grown trees are grown for us to our specification by the Frank P Matthews nursery.

All pot-grown trees are suitable for planting out in the garden, some are suitable for growing in containers.

• 11-year bare-root tree £36.75

  
  Medium size (2.5m-3.5m after 10 years)
  

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• 22-year bare-root tree £43.50

  
  Medium size (2.5m-3.5m after 10 years)
  

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How to grow

Malus Admiration has good disease resistance, and is particularly resistant to fireblight.

After 10 years this tree is likely to be around 2.5m or so tall, and perhaps 3m after 20 years. The mature spread at the top of the tree could be up to 1.5m - it has a very upright and columnar form. For the first few years the tree is unlikely to have any side shoots, these start to develop as it gets older.

History

Malus 'Admiration' was developed by Dr Donald Egolf of the US National Arboretum in the 1980s. In the USA it is known as Malus 'Adirondack'.

Admiration characteristics

• Gardening skillBeginner
• AwardsRHS AGM (current) - 2012
• Attractive featuresAttractive flowersAttractive fruitScented flowers
• Growth habitColumnar / Fastigiate
• Height after 10 years1.5m-2.5m / 5ft-8ft
• PruningLight prune
• Growth rateSlow
• WildlifeAttractive to birds
• Flower colourPink - light
• Flowering monthApril
• Leaf colourGreen
• Fruit colourRed
• Fruit persistencePersistent
• Country of originUnited States
• Annual cycleDeciduous

Similar varieties

• 
  Malus
  Laura
  Laura is similar to Admiration in its upright form, but features bronze leaves and larger fruits (which can be used for crab apple jelly).

What will it look like?

Illustrative example of a pot-grown tree of this variety as supplied. Approximate girth: 6/8cm. We try to keep all pot-grown trees down to about 1.5m as supplied, but some may be larger. Trees should reach their mature height after about 10 or more years. We may also have 1-year bare-root trees of this variety - they are not shown here.

How to choose a crab-apple tree

We list more than 40 different crab-apple trees. Choosing can be difficult! See our article explaining the different characteristics of crab-apple trees which will help you narrow down the selection.