'Butterball' Crabapple Tree
Stunning sunset-hued fruits
Grown by Mike
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
2 Year Old Tree in a 9L Pot
120-150cm inc. pot on arrival
Choose your size
In stock
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Plant diary
- Flower
- Harvest
'Butterball' Crabapple Tree
- An incredibly charming crabapple cultivar, 'Butterball' impresses with its gently arching branches, white blooms (which emerge from lovely pink buds) and fruits suffused with gently crackling tones of orange, yellow and red.
- Perfect as a feature tree, you can harvest your crabapples (if you get to them before the birds) and use them to make a delicious crabapple jelly. Crabapples are naturally high in pectin, making them a naturally good option for jams and jellies.
- Fully hardy and easy to grow, requiring little to no pruning, 'Butterball' is an excellent option for those gardeners wanting both ornamental and culinary rewards from their trees.
- Like all crabapples, this variety is recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) as one of its Plants for Pollinators, attracting a wealth of bees and butterflies.
- 'Butterball' has received the RHS's Award of Garden Merit, indicating its stellar performance in British gardens.
What to expect
Supplied as
Height on arrival
Eventual height
Eventual spread
Flower colour
Habit
Hardiness
Spacing
Will this grow in my garden?
Can I grow this in a pot?
Yes, 'Butterball' Crabapple Tree can be grown in a pot, though it performs best in the ground long-term. Start with a large 60cm+ container. It may need planting out after 5-10 years. Ensure consistent watering during hot spells above 25°C.
How big does it get?
The 'Butterball' Crabapple Tree typically grows to a height of 5 to 6 metres, with a spread of 4 to 5 metres, although it can be maintained at a smaller size with regular pruning.
How much sunlight does this need?
'Butterball' Crabapple Tree prefers full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive.
What kind of soil does this plant prefer?
'Butterball' Crabapple Tree prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil, but is quite adaptable to most soil types including clay, loam, and chalk. It tolerates winter ground temperatures down to -10°C. Plant in a hole at least 50cm wide for best results.
How much watering does this plant need?
'Butterball' Crabapple Tree requires regular watering, especially during its first few years of establishment. Provide approximately 10 to 20 litres of water per week, ensuring the soil remains moist but well-drained. During hot weather above 25°C, increase watering frequency to prevent the roots from drying out.
Will this plant need pruning?
'Butterball' Crabapple Tree should be pruned in late winter or early spring before bud break, removing dead or crossing branches to maintain a balanced shape.
How hardy is this plant?
The 'Butterball' crabapple holds an RHS hardiness rating of H6, making it fully hardy in the UK and able to survive temperatures down to -20°C.
The wider garden
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
Meet Mike
Tree-growing skills honed right across the globe
Having started out in Australia, studied in Northern Ireland and volunteered at an organic farm in Sweden, it’s fair to say Mike’s done his fair share of travel on his horticultural journey, so far! Having happily laid down roots here at Roots, Mike is the don behind our tree-growing operation, imparting each and every one of his globally-honed skills to benefit your garden. Grown in our purpose-built nursery, in the ideal climatic conditions of the fertile Vale of Evesham, we’re proud to supply only the happiest, healthiest and hardiest trees.
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