‘Spring Snow’ gets its name from the fragrant white blossoms that cover the small crabapple tree in spring. They contrast brilliantly with the bright green of the foliage. If you are looking for a fruitless crabapple, you might want to think about growing ‘Spring Snow’ crabapples. Read on for tips on how to grow a ‘Spring Snow’ crabapple (Malus ‘Spring Snow’) and other information.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Is a crabapple tree that doesn’t produce crabapples still a crabapple tree? It is, and anyone growing ‘Spring Snow’ crabapples appreciate the fruitless trees. Many gardeners do not grow crabapple trees for the fruit. Unlike crisp, delicious apple or pears, crabapples are not popular as off-the-tree snacks.
The fruit is sometimes used for jams, but less these days than yesteryear. ‘Spring Snow’ crabapple trees offer the ornamental benefits of crabapples trees. The plant grows as an upright tree to 20 feet (6 m.) tall and 25 feet (8 m.) wide.
The branches form an attractive, rounded canopy that is symmetrical and provides some summer shade. The tree is covered by bright green, oval leaves that turn yellow in autumn before falling. The most attractive feature of ‘Spring Snow’ crabapple trees are the flowers. They appear in spring, very white and very showy – just like snow. The blossoms offer a sweet fragrance as well.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
The ‘Spring Snow’ flowering crabapple tree thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–7. This range of growing zones, climates, and terrain is representative of the tree’s adaptability and low-maintenance growing requirements. Crabapples have a faster-than-average growth rate, so they will likely require more direct sunshine than other plants in your garden.
Watering
While this tree has a high drought tolerance and can establish strong root systems in various soil conditions, crabapples grow best in loam or another well-draining soil type. Water your new tree regularly up to three years after purchasing and planting it. After this amount of time, the crabapple’s roots should be well established, and it will no longer require watering, save for perhaps a drink or two during extra-dry spells.
Soil
You should plant Spring Snow crabapples in locations with well-draining soil and full sun. These trees must be planted at the right depth to remain healthy throughout the seasons.
Pruning
Pruning should be completed in the late winter when the tree is dormant. You should only prune when you want to train those lower branches or need to remove damaged branches.
Pests and Diseases
This tree is resilient to diseases like mildew and apple scab; however, you should still inspect its leaves weekly or bimonthly for aphids, black spots, and other signs of disease and infestation. Prune any leaves or limbs that die off in late winter to help your tree conserve energy through its dormancy period.
III. Uses and Benefits
These crabapple trees are known for their beautiful flowers in the spring. For that reason, many landscapers will use them as a home accent, a specimen plant, or a focal point in a home garden.
Since the Spring Snow crabapple tree is a fruitless variety, this tree can be placed near driveways, patios, or sidewalks. These varieties often look great near commercial buildings or large properties. Many of these trees are used in large informal groups. You might want to think about planting these species with other crabapple varieties that bloom in different colors.
Crabapples work great as an accent piece in a foundation planting. They are also exceptional as an anchor design in your landscape. For easy maintenance, crabapples should be placed 15 feet away from all exteriors. These low-branched trees can block your views, and you should keep that in mind when placing them. The Spring Snow makes great formal hedges when used as a privacy fence. When planted 10 feet apart, the canopies will grow to create a solid privacy screen.
For those who want a large, flowering privacy screen, you will need to keep the branches low. These crabapples make an excellent option as a formal focal point for a garden. A pergola or an arbor can be framed with these Spring Snow crabapples. When combined with dark evergreen foliage, the white blooms stand out throughout the spring.
If you want to add an impressive row of street trees, the Spring Snow crabapples look fantastic along a sidewalk’s edge. However, if your area has a lot of road salt, you might want to select another species. These crabapples are not tolerant of excessive exposure to road salt.
