We're offering you a Crab Apple Royalty Tree for £79.99, saving you up to 27% off Thompson and Morgan's's price of £109.99 (correct as of 19.11.2025).

Add Year-Round Beauty with Crab Apple 'Royalty'

The Malus 'Royalty', commonly known as the Crab Apple 'Royalty' tree, is celebrated for its dramatic dark mahogany foliage and rich pink spring blossoms. As autumn arrives, the leaves turn scarlet, creating a stunning focal point in any garden. This ornamental tree also delivers practical benefits, producing clusters of deep red crab apples perfect for making jelly or leaving as a winter treat for garden birds.

• Botanical Name: Malus 'Royalty'
• Mature Size: Grows to approximately 4m (13') tall and wide, making it ideal for medium gardens or as a standout feature in mixed borders.
• Seasonal Interest: Enjoy vibrant spring flowers, bold summer foliage, and striking autumn colour.
• Fruit Production: Dark red crab apples ripen in autumn; edible for preserves or left to attract wildlife.
• Pollination: Self-fertile and an excellent pollinator for other apple varieties.

Growing Guide & Care Tips

• Planting Location: Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. Choose a spot with well-drained soil.
• Soil Preference: Thrives in most garden soils; neutral to slightly acidic pH is ideal.
• Watering: Water regularly during the first season to establish roots; drought-tolerant once established.
• Pruning: Prune lightly after flowering if shaping is needed. Remove any dead or crossing branches in late winter.
• Hardiness: Fully hardy across the UK (USDA zones 4–8).
• Pest & Disease Resistance: Generally robust, but monitor for common apple pests such as aphids or scab.

Design Ideas & Companion Planting

• Adds dramatic colour to mixed borders or wildlife-friendly gardens.
• Pairs beautifully with spring bulbs like tulips or underplanted with shade-tolerant perennials such as hostas and ferns.
• Makes an attractive focal point near patios or along garden paths.

FAQs

• When is the best time to plant?
  The best time to plant is from autumn through early spring while the tree is dormant. Avoid planting during periods of hard frost.
• How fast does it grow?
  'Royalty' crab apple trees are moderate growers, typically reaching their mature size in 10–15 years.
• What type of soil does it prefer?
  This variety prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. It will tolerate heavier soils if drainage is adequate.