Malus 'Evelyn' is an attractive purple-leaved form of the native American Prairie Crab.
The leaves are unusually large, purple in the spring, turning a fiery red in the autumn. The large dark pink flowers have a characteristic fragrance.
The fruitlets are of variable colours - green, yellow, red. They are larger than those of many other purple or bronze-leaved crab apples, but still not really large enough for crab-apple jelly. Also, the fruiting tends to be a bit too light for serious jelly production.
Order now for delivery from week commencing 7th October for pot grown trees or December for bare-root or mixed tree orders.
Malus Evelyn has a poor reputation in the USA where it originates, on account of its great susceptibility to fireblight, a disease which is widespread in many areas of North America. Fortunately this disease is rarely encountered in the UK.
Malus 'Evelyn' is a hybrid crab-apple, related to the species Malus ioensis, a crab-apple which used to be native to the mid-west of North America. Malus ioensis is often known as the Prairie Crab, but is now rarely found growing wild. Malus 'Evelyn' inherits two of the key features of the Prairie Crab, its scented blossom, and the large tri-lobed leaf shape.
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.
This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 2022.