Prairie Crabapple -- Malus ioensis

Features: This is a classic large shrub to small tree, that graces our natural areas and was beloved by Prairie School landscape architects such as Jens Jensen.

It has lovely pinkish white spring flowers which provide early nectar to pollinators such as bees. It may grow as a single trunk but can also spread by suckers from its roots, to form a hedge or thicket, which provides wildlife habitat.

Its good sized crab apple fruits are eaten by birds in the winter and can be made into things like jam. Leaves may be affected by types of rust or fungus but they rarely harm the tree.

Light: full to partial sun

Soil: medium, not too wet nor dry

Height: 15 to 20 ft.

Width: 10 to 20 ft.

Blooms: spring

Flower color:  pink

Fall color: yellow

Special note: loved by birds

See more information and photos at: Illinois Wildflowers and Morton Arboretum

Photos: 1 Illinois Wildflowers; 2,3 Possibility Place; 4,5 Wikimedia