For taller options and non-tree planting schemes Contact us stating species, height/girth and delivery postcode.
Malus Cardinal Options Explained
150-180cm : 2-3 years old, 9-12L pot Half Standard
180-240cm : 2-4 years old, 12-20L pot, Half Standard
Cardinal (Malus 'Cardinal' syn. M.hupenhensis 'Cardinal') carries beautiful foliage and attractive, large, intense, pink, succulent flowers and dark almost black spring leaves changing to glossy red in summer. Deep red small fruit festoon the branches in the autumn. Originally introduced from the United States, Cardinal is a good choice of flowering crab apple for a small to medium sized garden.
A medium height tree, so expect a height of up to 6 metres (20 foot) after 10 years.
This tree is supplied at a height of between 1.5 and 2.40 metres in a 7-12 litre container for year round planting and better results than from either bare-root or rootballed stock.
Message card included at no additional cost if required. Just add the information required on the card at checkout.
What Our Customers Are Saying About Our Malus Cardinal Tree
Good morning Alan, Just to let you know that the Cardinal Crab Apple trees arrived safely in Austria on Monday. They seem to be in good shape and I will plant them today.Thanks for your help, John Miles 1112
Dear Trees Online, Thank you for your follow up email, and I'm pleased to say the Cardinal tree we ordered arrived on time as promised, we weren't at home at the time so the delivery driver left the parcel to the side of the house as requested, but not only did he leave it to the side of the house he managed to lift the six foot box safely over the top of the six foot gate, which was greatly appreciated. Once unpacked the Malus "cardinal" was in absolute perfect condition and an excellent specimen. I'm always slightly hesitant about ordering plants on-line as I prefer to be able to pick the plants out myself, but I would have been more than delighted if I had picked this particular tree out personally at any nursery. I've been so impressed by this transaction that I'm about to place another two orders! Many thanks,James 0912
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
