'Royal Raindrops' Crabapple Tree
Punchy-pink blossom clouds
Grown by Cameron
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
2 Year Old Tree in a 7.5L Pot
120-150cm inc. pot on arrival
Choose your size
In stock
Order before midday for next day delivery
Plant diary
- Flower
- Harvest
'Royal Raindrops' Crabapple Tree
- This proud crabapple cultivar is only a relatively recent introduction, having first been bred in the US back in 2003, but it has enjoyed serious popularity ever since. With its attractive upright habit, spreading somewhat with age, 'Royal Raindrops' certainly has a lot going for it.
- Deeply-cut purple foliage, crimson-pink spring blossoms and cherry-red autumn fruits result in a tree whose place in any garden is undoubtedly merited. Add to that the excellent resistance to problems like rust and apple scab and you begin to see why we're such big fans.
- The densely-branched tree takes on evocative autumn shades later in the year, with the leaves turning a burnished burgundy colour, while the fruits themselves will persist on the tree for several months.
- If you manage to get to the ripe crabapples before the birds do, then you can use them to make your own batch of crabapple jelly, which tastes amazing spread on toast or served with cold cuts.
- Crabapple trees (in fact, all trees in the Malus genus for that matter) are certified with the RHS's Plants for Pollinators status, indicating its benefits to pollinating insects like bees and butterflies.
- Please note: this page includes selected AI-assisted imagery for illustrative purposes.
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, 'Royal Raindrops' 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 'Royal Raindrops' Crabapple Tree reaches a mature 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?
'Royal Raindrops' 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?
'Royal Raindrops' 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?
'Royal Raindrops' 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?
'Royal Raindrops' 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 'Royal Raindrops' crabapple is fully hardy with an RHS rating of H6, withstanding temperatures from -15°C to -20°C across the UK.
The wider garden
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
Meet Cameron
Putting shrubs in the starlight (and boy do they shine…)
Cameron is mad about plants, which is lucky, really, because he’s absolutely surrounded by them here at the nursery. Having studied at the Student Plant Unit at Pershore College, Cameron went on to compete at the Grand Finals for the 2022 Horticulturist of the Year Awards. With a team of dedicated growers on hand to help, Cameron utilises our industry-leading nursery (and the lovely, fertile conditions of the Cotswolds) to grow shrubs that aren’t just good-looking, they’re good-growing too.
What customers say about us
We do our best to provide you the best experience ever
Learn from our experts
For growing advice that's clear and easy to follow
What customers say about us
We do our best to provide you the best experience ever
Fighting plastic waste
Delivering fresh from the nursery
Supporting UK growers