Malus Thunderchild

Thunderchild Crabapple

Malus ‘Thunderchild’

A small ornamental crabapple tree with deep pink to rose-red spring flowers, rich purple foliage, and small purple-red to dark red fruit that extends interest into fall. It has a rounded to upright-spreading habit and is especially valued for its cold hardiness and colorful foliage.

Type: Ornamental tree
Mature Size: 15–20' wide x 15–20' high
USDA Zones: 3a–8b
Form: Rounded to upright-spreading
Light: Full sun
Soil / Water: Moderately fertile, well-drained soil; moderate water, with some drought tolerance once established
Bloom Time / Length: Spring
Wildlife: Bees, birds

Features & Landscape Uses: Excellent as a specimen, lawn tree, or accent where purple foliage is desired through the growing season. It offers strong spring flower color, ornamental fruit, and is noted for good fire blight resistance; sources also describe resistance to cedar-apple rust and mildew, though apple scab resistance appears more variable depending on source and site.

Care: Plant in full sun for the best flowering, foliage color, and fruiting. Grow in well-drained soil and prune lightly in late winter to remove damaged or crowded branches and improve air circulation.

Plant type

Deciduous Tree, Flowering Ornamental Tree

Height

15-20'

Width

15-20'

Hardiness zones

3–8

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Spring

Flower color

Pink

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Yellow

Attracts

Bees, Birds

Soil

Loamy well-drained

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Foundation, Specimen

Shape

Rounded, Spreading, Upright

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

Yes