Spring 2022We are now accepting pre-orders for delivery from September onwards for pot-grown trees and December onwards for bare-rooted trees.
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Malus transitoria

Malus transitoria fruitlets
Malus transitoria has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit

Malus transitoria is also know as the Cut-leaf Crab, on account of its lobed leaves. It grows with an attractive spreading form.

It features a mass of tiny white star-like flowers in spring, followed by dense clusters of small yellow fruitlets in the autumn.

The autumn leaf colours are particularly pronounced in this species.

Malus transitoria crab-apple trees for sale

  • 11-year bare-root tree £31.00
    Large size (3m-5m after 10 years)
  • 22-year pot-grown tree £47.50
    In a 7L pot
    Large size (3m-5m after 10 years)
  • 32-year pot-grown tree £52.00
    In a 12L pot
    Large size (3m-5m after 10 years)
Pre-order now for delivery from September onwards for pot grown trees or December for bare-root trees and mixed orders.

History

Malus transitoria is a native of north western China. Like many Asian crab-apples it was first brought to the west in the early 20th century by collectors from the Arnold Arboretum of Massachusetts, USA.

Malus transitoria characteristics

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • AwardsRHS AGM (current) 1993
  • Attractive featuresAttractive flowersAttractive fruitAutumn foliage colour
  • Growth habitSpreading / Flat-topped
  • Height after 10 years2.5m-3.5m / 8ft-12ft
  • WildlifeAttractive to birds
  • Flower colourWhite
  • Flower formSingle flower (5-8 petals)
  • Leaf colourGreen
  • Leaf colour - autumnOrange / Gold
  • Fruit colourYellow
  • Fruit sizeSmall
  • Fruit persistenceRipens over a period
  • Country of originChina
  • Annual cycleDeciduous

Similar varieties

  • Malus transitoria
    Thornhayes Tansy
    A form of Malus transitoria with a more accentuated leaf shape.

What will it look like?

Illustrative example of a pot-grown tree of this variety as supplied. Approximate girth: 6/8cm. 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.

Malus transitoria crab apple tree

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.