Why Plant Prairifire Flowering Crabapple?
We can’t decide if we like Prairie Fire Crabapple better in spring, when the red buds become hot pink flowers; in fall, when the blooms are replaced by deep red fruits; or in winter, when the crabapples—softened by several freezes—are mobbed by songbirds. Cedar waxwings are especially fond of the fruits, and watching them from your kitchen window while they devour your offerings isn’t a bad way to spend a chilly winter afternoon. When the crabapples are gone, hang a birdfeeder from Prairie Fire’s branches and let the show continue!
It was a sort of happy accident that brought Prairie Fire to life. In 1945, an alliance was formed among Purdue, Rutgers, and the University of Illinois, called the PRI initiative, with the goal of breeding new Apple varieties with built-in disease resistance. The researchers involved wanted to give orchard owners varieties that wouldn’t require as many expensive and time-consuming pesticide applications. Dr. Daniel Dayton, an Illinois transplant from New Hampshire, is credited with the introduction of this stellar Crabapple that came about as a side shoot of the PRI program 1982.
How to use Prairifire Flowering Crabapple in the landscape?
This is one very disease resistant and drought tolerant Crabapple that you won't put out to pasture! Prairie Fire Crabapples start the spring season by producing red buds opening to deep red flowers against a backdrop of green, purple-tinted leaves. The fall season is accentuated by glossy maroon fruit, which extends into winter to give the glossy reddish-brown bark some added interest. Its multi-season interest makes this wonderful tree on of our favorites!
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-8
How To Plant Prairifire Flowering Crabapple
Flowering Crabapples grow well in a wide range of soil conditions and should be planted in a sunny area of your yard; they can tolerate very light shade as well. As with all trees, keep your newly planted Crabapple watered. Don’t keep the soil too wet, however, moist soil is fine.
How To Water
Water twice weekly for the first 3-5 weeks; then water weekly for the remainder of the year until winter. When you water, water slowly and thoroughly. Watering needs may be altered due to extreme weather conditions.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant Food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant Food granular form on an annual basis each fall. If planting in the fall, use Elements Fertilizer while planting and start your regular annual fertilizing the following fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established as it gives your tree the nutrients it needs to produce lush new growth for the following spring.
How To Prune
Prune your crabapple tree in late winter. Remove any broken or crossing branches or suckers at the base of the tree.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
