John Zvirovski, Jamestown Sun garden editor
John M. Steiner / The Jamestown Sun
While people in the southern regions have Crepe Myrtle and Magnolias that bloom in spring, we have lilacs and crabapple trees that bloom, among many others.
Crabapples are one of the earlier trees to bloom, along with many other fruiting trees during our spring season. Many of the varieties are beginning to bloom through quickly this past week due to an unseasonably warm week. One bad thing about hot weather this time of year is that the spring blooms do not last long.
Crabapple trees are usually planted for their ornamental qualities. They can have leaf colors that range from green to red and purple to enjoy when the tree is not in bloom. When in bloom, flowers will come in colors of white and shades of pink and red. Many will also develop fruit through the summer, a few of which will hold them all winter long for a different ornamental effect.
They are a small to medium tree, which make them great for smaller yards or areas where you just can’t have a large shade tree. Usually they range anywhere from 15 to 30 feet in height with a broad spread. They do best in areas where they will receive full sunlight for optimal growth. Most prefer areas that are moist but well drained. Many are not drought tolerant and will decline in vigor with prolonged dry periods. They will not survive long in areas where water stands for long periods of time either, so keep them out of areas where water tends to sit or flood.
Many varieties grow well in our area, such as the Donald Wyman, Dolgo, Red Jade, Flame, Snowdrift and Spring Snow cultivars, which all have white blooms.
Pink Spires, Sparkler, Radiant, Red Splendor, Hopa, Thunderchild, Indian Summer and Indian Magic are all pink-blooming varieties.
Centurian, Prairie Fire, Kelsey and Royalty are all deep pink to red in floral color.
Most of these trees will produce a fruit that can be used for homemade jellies, syrups and wines. The Dolgo produces the largest of fruit and is the best for eating off the tree. If you prefer not to have the mess that occurs with the fruit-producing varieties, one can always plant Spring Snow or Kelsey, which produce little or no fruit.
Many of the varieties produce green to dark green leaves but for a little foliage color, plant Red Splendor, Thunderchild or Royalty. These types can have leaf color of reds and purples throughout the summer months. Red Splendor and Prairie Fire also have great fall colors of red, purple and orange.
There are a few diseases which can affect crabapple trees. The most common is fire blight. As with many members of the apple family, fire blight can be a serious disease that can prove fatal in optimal conditions. It exhibits itself by attacking new growth, killing the leaves and resembling fire scorch. To eliminate the problem, always prune out affected branches at least 6 inches below the affected areas with a sterile utensil. Periodic and diligent maintenance can assist in eradicating the situation. In some cases, further maintenance may be necessary.
Apple scab is another common ailment that affects the fruit and leaves of the crabapple tree. It resembles an orange or rust color in patches on the leaves themselves or developing fruit. In many cases, it can cause premature fruit and leaf drop. Cleaning up leaf drop and spraying the foliage with a fungicide can eliminate the problem in time.
With crabapples, the tree’s amenities themselves far outweigh the negatives. Their flower color and fresh scent alone will win you over in more ways than one. Every day I have to go out and catch a breath of the fresh scent of my crabapple tree in full bloom.
Make sure you take some time out of your busy schedule to take a short walk and enjoy the wonderful scents of spring. You will enjoy the fragrance of the plums and apple trees in bloom. Shortly afterward, we will also be in heaven breathing in the heady scents of the numerous lilacs in the area.
Even though spring has been a cool one so far, enjoy all the changes that continue to happen from day to day and don’t miss out on all the joys the season has to offer.
Spring blossoms — you just can’t bottle that scent in an air-freshener or candle. It can only be experienced firsthand on a cool damp evening. I think I need another sniff of those blooms before I start my day, just to make sure it goes right.