For taller options and non-tree planting schemes Contact us stating species, height/girth and delivery postcode.
Malus Sun Rival
Sun Rival is a charming weeping crab apple tree. Ideal for a small garden as it will only ever reach a final height of around 2.5m. Heights are rough estimates as Mother Nature does not adhere to EU regulations or British Standards which state goods must be as high as we say they will be! She is one of the few entities that can tell the EU to go forth and procreate and get away with it.
In spring, this tree is covered with extremely pretty pink buds which turn into white flowers. Later in the season, bright-red fruits are formed. Autumnal colours include yellow leaves. Of major interest is that this tree is disease resistant, so need for environmentally unfriendly insecticides or fungicides.
Malus Sun Rival has characteristics outstanding enough to be awards the RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit). This means people who profess to know what they are talking about get together and vote to see which are the best plants and trees of each category. There is no red carpet ceremony as far as we know. It most likely takes place in a shed or greenhouse and is more a collection of flat caps, wellies and ginger biscuits than champagne and celebrities.
Considered to be clay tolerant which means it will not complain in writing or start a petition if you plant in clay but arguably could form a sit in protest. Plant in good draining soil for best results. Will benefit from an occasional thinning to promote new growth and exhibits interesting and varied colours throughout the year which consist of orange, reds/purple and yellow.
Malus Sun Rival is considered self-fertile which means you do not require another apple tree nearby to pollinate the tree and crab apples to develop. If your Sun Rival does not produce crab apple trees then someone has stolen them, the birds or squirrels had them, all the blossom was blown off in a hurricane in Spring or you planted the wrong tree. We are THAT confident that Malus Sun Rival is a self-fertile tree and WILL produce crab apples.
Should we be out of stock of Malus Sun Rival then Malus Royal Beauty is a similar weeping crab apple tree although the Royal Beauty is considered suitable for planting in public parks. This is usually down to particularly aesthetically pleasing qualities, requires low maintenance or other such characteristics not found in the Sun Rival.
Hardy down to minus 20 degree centigrade which for the purists out there is a rating of H6.
Although suitable for container growing, it is not considered a variety that lends itself to it readily and you will need to pay attention to feeding and watering.
Message card included at no additional cost if required. Just add the information required on the card at checkout.
See What Our Customers Are Saying About Our Malus Sun Rival
Since we are talking, I would like to say how pleased I am with my little weeping tree. Whilst no expert it looks healthy and full of buds. It is planted by the grave of my beloved dog who died in February so I really hope it will grow well for him. Many thanks Alison (fellow general dogsbody) 0323
Tree Jargon Explained
Half Standard: Around 80-100cm clear stem.
Standard: Around 180-200cm clear stem.
Feathered: Branches for most of the trunk/stem length.
Multi-Stem/Bush: Very little or no clear stem. Multiple branching starting low to the ground.
Rootball: Dug from the field with roots intact i.e. no pot.
Pot: Plastic container that the tree was grown in.
Maiden: 1 year tree that has not been pruned.
Pleached: Foliage a square/rectangle flat shape wired to a bamboo frame with some clear stem.
Screen: Same as pleached but much less/no clear stem.
Multiple Order Discount
Orders over £750 for 150cm+ trees might be discounted by ​​​​​​​contacting us
Ornamental Tree Roots In The Shade e.g. Behind A Fence
It is more important that that foliage (posh term for leaves) receives the sunlight than the roots. So if the canopy of your ornamental tree can sunbathe but the bottom of your tree thinks there has been a nuclear winter then that is ok. You might want to ensure you have good drainage as water and no sun is the start of algae and other such issues.
Early Autumn Leaf Fall
Heat stress, being potted, lack of water, being boxed up for a few days etc can cause early Autumn leaf fall. Once planted, normal service will resume next season.
Do I Need To Stake My Ornamental Tree?
9 out of 10 times the answer will be no, especially if under 200cm tall. However our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.
Climate Change
Climate Change has increased aesthetic foliage issues such as Powdery Mildew, Shothole, Rust, frost damage etc These are not terminal issues and will usually last a season or less. All trees are inspected before being sent out to ensure they are fundamentally healthy and will bounce back.
Planting In The Corner Of A Garden
Air and light is reduced in this location which could promote fungus and bacterial issues. If the corner is of the house and a fence then you also have leeching issues to contend with from cement and wood preservatives. Also when it rains, that area would experience higher water levels so we advise against it unless the plant is very hardy.
Mature Tree Warranty
Once a tree is over 3 years old, the failure rate is considerably less and our Tree Warranty does not cover it at 100%. Please check details.
Crab Apple Trees Listed As Good For Jelly
Laura, John Downie, Jelly King, Wisley, Pink Glow, Robusta, Dolgo, Butterball, Harry Baker and Red Obelisk.
Crab Apple Trees Listed As Patio
Any Crab apple tree listed as suitable for patio growing means that it has most likely been grafted onto an M27 rootstock giving it an ultimate height of around 1.5 metres.
Crab Apple Disease Resistance
Crab apple trees are generally resistant to disease but those that seem to be considerably less prone to problems are Admiration, Pink Glow, Wedding Bouquet, ButterBall, Cardinal, Comtesa De Paris, Elk River, Coralburst, Donald Wyman, Golden Gem, Gorgeous, Indian Magic, Jelly King, Louisa, Prairie Fire, Rudolf, Sun Rival, Tina, Scarlett, Transitoria, Guardsman and White Star.
Crab Apple Pollinators
Crab apples have long flowering periods which makes them very useful as pollination partners. Many commercial orchards inter-plant crab apples with normal apple trees to increase fruit yield. A crab apple is self fertile and will set fruit without the need of another apple tree nearby.
Crab Apple Drought Resistance
Generally speaking, Crab Apples tolerate drought reasonably well.
Sun Or Shade For Crab Apples
For best results from the flowers and fruits, a full sun position is preferred however light shade is acceptable. Excessive shade will lead to less flowers and fruits, a more open canopy and problems with Powdery Mildew. Shade and poor drainage is a good combination for bacterial and fungal issues.
Crab Apple Suckering
If your Crab Apple has been grafted (many are) then you may experience small green shoots growing out the side of the tree below the graft point (around 10-30cm above ground) Remove these by rubbing your hand across the bark or snapping off. These will not grow as the original tree you purchased.
Crab Apples With Long Lasting Fruits
For those wishing to feed the local wildlife well into Autumn and Winter, consider purchasing Comtessa De Paris , Red Sentinel and Toringo Scarlet. Other crab apple trees with almost as long lasting fruits include Admiration, Evereste, Wedding Bouquet and Rudolph
