Malus Red Baron

Red Baron Crabapple

Malus ‘Red Barron’

A small ornamental crabapple tree with a narrowly upright to columnar habit when young, maturing a bit broader with age. It is grown for dark red flower buds that open to deep rosy pink or red flowers in spring, followed by glossy green to bronze-green foliage and abundant dark red 1/2-inch fruit that adds fall interest and can persist into the season.

Type: Ornamental tree
Mature Size: 5–8' wide x 12–15' high
USDA Zones: 4–8
Form: Narrowly upright to columnar, becoming somewhat rounded with age
Light: Full sun
Soil / Water: Adaptable to reasonably well-drained garden soil; moderate water
Bloom Time / Length: Spring
Wildlife: Bees, birds

Features & Landscape Uses: A strong choice for narrow spaces, smaller landscapes, and accent planting where a vertical flowering tree is needed. The dark flowers, persistent red fruit, and orange fall color give it multi-season interest. Sources also describe it as useful for attracting birds and pollinators.

Care: Plant in full sun for best bloom, fruit set, and foliage quality. Prune in late winter as needed to maintain structure and airflow. Crabapple disease resistance can vary by site and region, so good sun and air circulation still matter even for improved cultivars.

Plant type

Flowering Ornamental Tree

Height

12-15'

Width

5-8'

Hardiness zones

5–8

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Spring

Flower color

Pink

Leaf color

Dark Green

Fall color

Green

Fruit color

Red Violet

Attracts

Bees, Birds

Soil

Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Specimen

Shape

Vase Shaped

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No