Malus sargentii ‘Tina’ (Crabapple cultivar)
May 3, 2019There are many types of crabapple—more than 400, if one includes all the species and cultivars—and they reward the gardener with blossom in spring and ornamental fruit in fall.
We have several impressive specimens on the grounds here at Wave Hill, but most of them would be too large for the average home garden. Malus sargentii ‘Tina’, however, is compact enough for almost any yard. The normal form of the Sargent crabapple (Malus sargentii) grows to at least 10 feet high and can spread to about 20 feet wide, but ‘Tina’ tops out at only five or six feet and perhaps 10 to 12 feet wide.
Right now, our tree is covered in masses of red, densely-packed flower buds and they are popping open to reveal creamy-white insides.
It is a wonderful display and can be seen behind the Perkins Visitor Center on the edge of the lawn, on your right as you head toward to Wave Hill House.
By Charles Day, Wave Hill’s Ruth Rea Howell Senior Horticultural Interpreter
