Malus x atrosanguinea 'Gorgeous' | Crabapple Tree
Stunning bright red fruits and pink-flushed white blossom
Malus x astrosanguinea 'Gorgeous' is a heavy-fruiting tree which produces distinctive glossy red fruits, which remain throughout autumn and into winter. As with all crab apples, 'Gorgeous' is very popular with bees, and thus will bring more pollinators into your garden, which is a blessing if you have other apple trees. 'Gorgeous' is especially good as a pollinator for all apple trees, and flowers throughout the pollination season, which gives it more chance to pollinate more trees. The fruits of this tree can sometimes be eaten fresh, although they can be sour. They are better stewed and used as jams, as they have high levels of pectin, which helps with the setting of jam.
Variety Information
| Habit | Bushy |
|---|---|
| Flower Colour | White/Pink |
| Foliage Colour | Green in spring/summer, orange/yellow in autumn |
| Fruit Colour | Red |
| Fruit Uses | Jelly-Making, Cider-Making |
| Pollination Group Crabapples are excellent pollinators of apples and will pollinate any apple plus or minus one (+-1) flowering group. | 3 |
| Features | Spring Blossom, Attractive Fruits, Autumn Colour |
Size Information
| Supplied As | Bare Root |
|---|---|
| Height on Arrival Height can vary depending on when you purchase your tree, and what rootstock and variety combination you buy. | 1.5m (5ft) |
| Age | 2 Years with 4 Year Rootstock |
| Eventual Height & Spread Eventual size depends on both environmental and genetic conditions. | 4m x 4m (13 x 13ft) |
| Supplied As | Height On ArrivalTitle | Supplied By | Price | Link | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bare Root | 1.5m Bare Root Primrose-Supplied Tree |
Primrose | View Here | ||
| Bare Root | 1.5m Bare Root Frank P. Matthews-Supplied Tree |
Frank P. Matthews | This Product | 9L Pot | 1.5m 9L Pot Primrose-Supplied Tree |
Primrose | View Here |
| 12L Pot | 1.5m 12L Pot Primrose-Supplied Tree |
Primrose | View Here |
Key is to regularly water newly-planted trees, at least bimonthly for two months. It is also important to ensure you choose a location where your tree has enough space, which you can calculate from a variety's eventual height and spread.
Bare root & containerised trees have different planting requirements. With bare root, it is important to soak your tree's roots in water for up to 2 hours before planting, while with containerised trees it is important to drench your tree's rootball. With bare root it can be useful to prune woody roots back a few inches, while with containerised trees, it is important to free any spiralized roots growing around the rootball's circumference. With bare root trees, dig a hole so as to ensure the graft point is above the soil, while with containerised trees, ensure the pot sits no lower than an inch below ground.
Bare root & containerised trees also share planting requirements. Dig a hole twice the radius of the rootball. Stake your tree no more than 2-3 inches from the stem, pointing away from the prevailing wind. Fill the hole with a mix of compost and garden soil, and add fertiliser and mycorrhizal fungi. Do not compress the soil. Give your tree a good watering. Add mulch on top whether bark and wood chippings, compost, manure, leaf-mould and stones. Make sure mulch doesn't touch the stem. Tie the stake to your tree, leaving space for growth. Place a rabbit guard around your tree.
Apply fertiliser and replace decomposed mulch come spring. Check ties to ensure there is no rubbing. Collect fallen leaves in autumn.
We have developed an eco friendly polypot currently in use across our 9L range. The polypot uses less than 20% of the plastic compared with a normal pot and, unlike most garden center pots, is recyclable. Polypots also prevent root spiraling to encourage a healthier root system.
All trees arrive in a specially made, extra thick, cardboard box with a clamp to hold the pot in place at the bottom of the box. This prevents any movement during transit, keeping your plant safe.
We wrap the roots of our bare root trees and use compost to keep them moist during transport. This extra bit of protection prevents them from drying out and makes sure your tree gets off to a flying start.
We use the same specialised box as our potted trees to ensure safe transit.
Crabapple trees are easy to grow. Your tree’s growth and output will likely be fine providing you followed our planting and care instructions. Below we address some common queries:
- Hardiness: Some species of crabapple are native to the UK, and the species that aren't are from far colder regions, so the UK's mild winters will not affect your tree.
- Position: Crabapple trees benefit from being planted in full sun. Planting your tree in a sheltered spot will allow the tree to put more resources into flowering.
- Soil Types: Soil types are best ignored and remain an unwelcome confusion. Every plant will adapt to its conditions. Having said that, less than ideal conditions will reduce growth. Waterlogged soils will starve your tree of oxygen, which plays a key role in photosynthesis, cause its roots to rot and create the perfect environment for many diseases. Similarly, compressed soils can starve a tree of oxygen and water, so do not compress the soil when planting. Aeration can be improved further with mulching.
Image Gallery
All trees arrive in an extra thick cardboard box with a clamp to hold their pot in place. This prevents them from moving around on their journey.
Nursery staff will wrap the roots of our bare root trees and use compost to keep them moist during transportation. This extra protection prevents them from drying out, allowing for a flying start. We also use the same specialised box that our potted trees have to keep them nice and secure as they make their way to your home.
Please note: where your plant is supplied with a pot, your plant's 'Height on Arrival' includes the pot
- Watering: Bare root trees should have their roots soaked in water for up to 2 hours before planting, while with containerised trees, it is important to drench their root ball before planting.
- Pruning: Another difference is that for bare root trees, it is useful to prune their woody roots back a few inches. However, for containerised trees, you should free any spiralized roots growing around their rootball's circumference.
- Planting: With bare root trees, you should dig a hole to enable the graft point to be above the soil, while with containerised trees, the pot should sit no lower than an inch below the ground.
- With both, you should dig a hole that is twice the radius of their rootball. Stake your trees no more than 2 - 3 inches from the stem, and make sure that they are pointing away from the prevailing wind.
- Fill the planting hole with a mix of compost and garden soil, finishing with fertiliser and mycorrhizal fungi. Take care to not compress the soil.
- Once you are happy with your efforts, give your tree a generous watering.
- Add mulch on top (this can be bark and wood chippings, compost, manure, leaf-mould, and stones), and ensure that these do not touch the stem of the tree.
- Tie the stake to your tree (and leave space for growth), and place a rabbit guard around your tree to protect it from harmful pests.
- Apply fertiliser and replace decomposed mulch come spring. In autumn, remove fallen leaves to prevent the risk of disease. You should also make sure that the ties are not rubbing your tree.
Advice on hot and droopy plants
If your plants are looking a little wilted right now, don’t worry! Plants like to be filled with water to keep their structure, and when it’s hot that water evaporates.
Just give them an off-schedule watering and they’ll be right as rain in no time! Be careful not to flood them - plants don’t like extremes.
- Hardiness: Some species of crabapple are native to the UK, and the species that aren't are from much colder regions, so the UK's mild winters will not affect your plant.
- Position: Crabapple trees benefit from being planted in full sun. Planting them in a sheltered spot also helps them put greater resources into flowering.
- Soil: Soil types can be an unwelcome confusion as many plants will adapt to their conditions. Nonetheless, less than ideal conditions will certainly limit your crabapple’s growth. Waterlogged soils will starve your plant of oxygen, which plays a key role in photosynthesis; causing its roots to rot and creating an optimal environment for disease. Similarly, compressed soils can starve a tree of oxygen and water, so do not compress their soil when planting.
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| Is Collection/Mix? | No |
|---|---|
| Needs Ericaceous Compost? | No |