Santa Fe Botanical Garden

Common name: 'Indian Magic' crabapple

Family: Rosaceae (Rose)

Distribution: Cultivated

Hardiness: USDA Zone 5 (-20 to -10 °F)

Life form: Tree

Occurrence in New Mexico: Cultivar

Growing Conditions: Flowering crabapples grow best in well-drained, acidic loams, but adapt to a wide range of soils. Plant crabapple trees in full sun for best flowering. This tree requires a medium amount of water, but established trees have some drought tolerance. If needed, it is best to prune in late winter, as fresh, open cuts in spring are susceptible to fireblight.

Description: 'Indian Magic' is a flowering crab apple tree that grows to 15-20 feet tall and wide. It has spreading branches with bronze-tinged serrated oval leaves that turn golden orange in autumn. In mid to late spring, dark red buds open into 1½-inch wide, heavily scented pink flowers. Bright red ½-inch fruits turn reddish-orange after frost and typically persist for several months.