Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Malus hupehensis--Tea Crabapple



Beautiful clusters of flowers in spring, lovely fall foliage, and shiny red fruit in winter. What is not to like? Well, the Tea Crabapple can get many diseases: apple scab, powdery mildew, fire blight, rust and leaf spot. Still disease resistant varieties are available. the Tea Crabapple grows about 20-25 feet tall, perfect for home gardens. Birds love the fruit. It is called a Tea Crabapple because the leaves are sometimes used to make tea. The fruit can be eaten, but it is sour. Sometimes real apples are grafted onto the rootstock. Come take a look at it at the UC Botanical Garden.

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