Malus Mary Potter

Mary Potter Crabapple

Malus ‘Mary Potter’ is a flowering crabapple tree prized for magenta-pink buds that open to fragrant white flowers, followed by small bright red fruit in late summer to fall. This deciduous ornamental tree has a dense, low, broad-spreading to mounded habit with dark green foliage that can turn yellow to gold-orange in fall. It is an old Arnold Arboretum introduction and is especially valued for its graceful spreading form and heavy spring bloom.

Type: Flowering crabapple tree
Mature Size: 15–20' wide x 10–15' high
USDA Zones: 4a–8b
Form: Dense, mounded, broad-spreading
Light: Full sun
Soil / Water: Well-drained soil / moderate moisture
Bloom Time / Length: Mid spring / 1–2 weeks
Wildlife: Bees visit the flowers; fruit may attract birds.

Features & Landscape Uses: Excellent for specimen use, lawn plantings, and mixed borders where a low, wide ornamental tree is needed. The pink buds and white flowers give it a soft two-tone bloom effect, and the red fruit adds fall interest. Some sources note alternate-year heavier fruiting, and disease resistance reports are mixed depending on source and site.

Care: Plant in full sun with good air circulation for best flowering and fruiting. Water regularly during establishment, then during dry periods as needed. Prune in late winter to remove damaged, crossing, or crowded branches and to maintain its natural spreading framework. 

Plant type

Flowering Ornamental Tree

Height

10-15'

Width

15-20'

Hardiness zones

4–8

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Spring

Flower color

Pink, White

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Fruit color

Brown

Attracts

Bees, Birds

Soil

Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Corner Accent, Specimen

Shape

Dense, Wide Spreading

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No