Description
The Crab Apple ‘Red Sentinel’ is a small deciduous tree, renowned for its abundant spring blossom and long-lasting ornamental fruits. From April, it is covered with fragrant white flowers, preceded by pink buds, which attract bees and other pollinators. In autumn, it bears numerous bright red miniature apples, shiny and clustered in dense bunches, which remain on the tree until winter. Its compact, rounded habit, hardiness down to –25 °C, and adaptability to various soils make it a four-season ornamental tree, ideal for urban gardens, informal hedges, or specimen planting. Easy to maintain and beneficial for garden biodiversity.
Geographical origin: British horticultural selection.
Botanical family: Rosaceae.
Notable features: Pollinator-friendly flowers, long-lasting fruits, excellent frost resistance.
General description: Small deciduous tree with rounded crown, dark green foliage turning golden in autumn, decorative winter fruits.
Growth: Moderate and steady.
Hardiness: Very good, down to –25 °C.
Dig a wide hole and enrich with mature compost. Water abundantly at planting. Staking recommended during the first years.
2.5 to 4 m depending on use (solitary, hedge, row).
Regular watering during dry periods to promote rooting.
Low maintenance, but appreciates occasional watering during prolonged dry spells.
Late winter or early spring, frost-free. Remove dead wood, thin the crown without excessive pruning to preserve fruiting.
Grafting in nursery (seedlings do not remain true to cultivar).
Solitary, informal hedge, row planting, or ornamental bed.
Cornus, Japanese maple, flowering cherry, decorative-leaved perennials.
Ornamental tree, valued for persistent fruits and attraction to wildlife (birds, insects).
Potential susceptibilities: Aphids.
Prevention and natural treatments: Regular monitoring, spraying with soapy water or garlic decoction in case of infestation.
Plant in full sun for maximum flowering and fruiting. Organic mulch recommended to maintain soil moisture. Avoid heavy pruning.
The Crab Apple ‘Red Sentinel’ – Malus ‘Red Sentinel’ is a compact and hardy ornamental tree, ideal for urban or landscaped gardens. Its fragrant white spring flowers attract pollinators, while its small bright red apples are shiny and persistent until winter. Easy to grow, it adapts to well-drained soils and withstands harsh winters down to –25 °C. Its rounded habit, dark green deciduous foliage turning golden in autumn, and winter fruiting make it a four-season ornamental tree. Suitable as a solitary specimen, in informal hedges or rows, and pairs well with Cornus, Japanese maples, or flowering cherries. The ‘Red Sentinel’ cultivar is distinguished by long-lasting decorative fruits and ease of maintenance, making it an excellent choice for amateur gardeners and professionals alike.
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