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Royal Raindrops® Flowering Crabapple Tree

Malus 'Royal Raindrops'

  • Magenta-Pink Flowers in April
  • Deeply Lobed Purple Leaves All Summer
  • Orange-Red Fall Color
  • Tiny Red Fruit Persists Into Early Winter
  • Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-8
$6999
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Outside your zone (): not guaranteed Why

Rated for zones 4 to 8. Great in a pot brought indoors for winter, or as an annual.

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Houseplant: grows indoors in any zone
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Hardiness Zone 4a8b
Sunlight Full sun
Height 15-20 ft
Width 12-16 ft
Growth Rate Moderate
Watering Needs Moderate
Preferred Soil Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Blooms In Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Flower Color Purple, Pink
Plant Characteristics Cold hardy, Flowering, Disease resistant, Fall Color/Interest, Ornamental Berries/Fruit, Attracts pollinators, Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Low Maintenance, Clay Tolerant, Full Sun
Botanical Name Malus 'JFS-KW5'
Does Not Ship To AK, CA, HI, ID, MT, OR, PR, VI, WA

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This product has no reviews of its own. The merchant grouped it with related products, so the reviews shown are from across that group.
M
Mark
Royal raindrop

I had a tree.planted last year and was in full bloom. This spring it is loaded with leaves but no buds? Does this tree flower every year and if so where are my beautiful flowers ?

Hi Mark,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with your Royal Raindrops® Flowering Crabapple Tree. We truly appreciate your feedback and understand how much you were looking forward to seeing those beautiful blooms again this spring!

It’s great to hear that your tree has a healthy load of leaves this year, while the absence of blossoms might be a bit puzzling. Flowering crabapples generally bloom annually, but there are a few reasons your tree might not be flowering this season. Sometimes young trees, especially in their first few years after planting, focus energy on establishing strong root systems and leaf growth before putting out blossoms. Additionally, late frosts in some regions can damage flower buds, preventing blooms that season. Overly vigorous fertilization with nitrogen-rich products can also promote leaf growth at the expense of flowers. We recommend double-checking your fertilizing practices, ensuring your tree receives adequate but balanced nutrients.

If pruning is part of your regimen, it’s best done right after blooming in spring so the tree can develop new buds for the following year. Monitoring wildlife browsing, as some critters may nibble on flower buds, is also helpful.

For more tailored advice, including regional tips or fertilization guidelines specifically for crabs like your Royal Raindrops®, you might also find our **Flowering Crabapple Care Guide** on NatureHills.com helpful. And of course, if you ever want to share photos or have further questions, feel free to reach out—we’re here to help ensure your tree thrives beautifully.

Looking forward to the blossoming show next spring for you!

Growing with you,
Nature Hills Nursery – Your Trusted Plant Specialists

M
Mark
Royal raindrop

I had a tree.planted last year and was in full bloom. This spring it is loaded with leaves but no buds? Does this tree flower every year and if so where are my beautiful flowers ?

Hello Mark,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your Royal Raindrops® Flowering Crabapple Tree! We truly appreciate you taking the time to let us know how it’s doing. It’s wonderful to hear your tree is full of leaves this spring—this is a good sign of healthy growth.

Regarding the flowering, Royal Raindrops® do typically bloom every year in the spring. However, factors like weather fluctuations, pruning timing, and the tree's adjustment to a new location can impact bud development and flowering. For example, a late frost in early spring or heavy pruning late in the season can reduce or delay blooms. Since it was planted just last year, your tree may still be focusing some of its energy on establishing its root system this season.

To encourage flowering for upcoming springs, consider watering deeply but infrequently to promote root growth, apply a balanced fertilizer early in spring before bloom time, and avoid heavy pruning during late summer or fall. If the winter conditions were particularly harsh in your area or your tree experienced transplant shock, flowers may return in time as it acclimates.

If you’d like, feel free to reach out with photos or details about your tree’s growing conditions, and we’d be happy to provide more tips suitable for your climate and care routine!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Royal Raindrops the same as Malus 'JFS-KW5'?
  • Royal Raindrops® is the trademarked name and 'JFS-KW5' is the cultivar name for the same crabapple, so you may see either one on a plant tag. It was raised from a seedling of a cut-leaf crabapple and carries deeply lobed purple leaves, magenta-pink spring flowers and tiny red fruit.

Why are some Royal Raindrops leaves not lobed?
  • The earliest leaves on Royal Raindrops® can be entire, meaning smooth-edged with no lobes. The deeply cut leaves the tree is known for fill in as the season goes on, so a few plain early leaves are normal and not a sign of a mislabeled tree.

Can Royal Raindrops crabapple be planted as a street tree?
  • Royal Raindrops® works well as a street tree. It tolerates urban conditions, compacted soil and air pollution once established. Check local rules for parkway strips first, since many towns keep an approved street tree list and minimum distances from curbs.

Is Royal Raindrops crabapple fruit edible?
  • Royal Raindrops® fruit is edible, though crabapples need to be cooked to be palatable, so think jelly or sauce rather than eating them fresh. Do not eat the seeds, which contain cyanogenic compounds. The tiny red fruit hangs on into early winter, so leave plenty on the branches for the birds.
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