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flowering (rab cApples 
Among our finest trees are the Flowering Crab Apples. They are more useful and 
more ornamental than many plants that have been introduced from abroad, but because 
they are native to this country, they are often overlooked. The Crabs “have every- 
thing’; floriferousness over a long season, good color range, rich fragrance, and a 
profusion of sparkling fruits. In the early spring garden a Flowering Crab can easily 
dominate the scene. 
The fruits of the Flowering Crabs are a joy to the eye and a delight to the birds. 
These fruits, indeed, are often one of the chief reasons for planting the Crabs, for they 
make even a small yard or garden a mecca for birds for a long time every season. 
Just as the flowers vary in color from white through many shades of pink and red, 
the fruits assume many different sizes and colors. Some of the tiny apples are no 
larger than cherries, but a few are large enough to be used for making jelly. In color 
they range through green, yellow, orange, scarlet, and crimson. No matter what size 
or color they may be, they are a favorite tid-bit for the birds. 
Flowering Crab Apples form another group of native American Trees that are 
decorative all year long. In the spring their pink, white, or red flowers obscure the 
branches. The tree itself is so well formed that it would be ornamental if it never 
bloomed at all. But in addition to its blooms, it boasts bright-colored fruits in late 
summer and fall. 
The Crabs combine dainty appearance with rugged health, which should recom- 
mend them to any gardener. The trees are covered with clean, insect-free foliage all 
summer, and even in the winter their bare branches make a picturesque sight. The 
Crabs behave well in ordinary garden soil; in fact, they tolerate conditions that would 
mean the end of many flowering trees. They may be sheared into symmetrical shapes 
for formal use, or may be allowed to go their own way. They are hardy over most of 
the country. 
M. adstringens, Hopa (Hopa Crab). A followed by purplish fruit % inch in 
large-flowering purple-leaf Crab with diameter. One of the most reliable of 
purple-red flowers. the flowering Crab Apples. 
M. floribunda (Showy Crab). A profuse- M. niedzwetzkyana (Redvein Crab). A 
blooming, large bush or tree to 25 quite large Crab Apple with red bark 
feet, bearing, 14-inch rose-red flowers and wood; even the leaves are tinged 
which fade nearly white. These are red on the nerves. The flowers are 
followed by tiny yellow fruit about deep red and the little apples are 
1% inch in diameter. purple-red both inside and out. In 
fact, we might say that everything 
M. floribunda scheideckeri (Scheidecker Agee Pst eee sneer ep TE Re 
Crab). Small pyramidal tree bearing a 
profuse crop of semi-double pale pink M. purpurea eleyi (Eley Crab). A shape- 
flowers. This is followed by large yel- ly tree to 10 feet which covers itself — 
low fruit which is often used for mak- in spring with a mass of little red 
ing jelly. blooms against the purple branches. 
The foliage, which follows the blos- 
som, is light reddish purple, and this 
is followed by a heavy crop of dark 
M. halliana parkmani (Parkman Crab). 
An informally awkward tree when 
young which becomes more respecta- Pade ernie 
ble with age. It is a free bloomer, Aa gla a 3.50 5to 6ft.B&B 7.00 
bearing double, bright rose-red flowers Apo ibe tie 8 5.00 6to 8 ft. B & B 10.00 
