Prairifire Crabapple

Prairifire Crabapple (Malus ‘Prairifire’) is a gorgeous, pink flowering Crabapple tree with truly outstanding ornamental features. This improved variety is a breakthrough Crabapple and delivers many positive attributes for today’s smaller lots.

Modern landscapes need to look good all year long. When young, upright branches bring a sprightly energy to your Spring Garden. As the tree matures, Prairifire Crabapple tree develops into a beautiful rounded outline with an attractive, symmetrical appeal.

With lovely, glossy, dark-red bark, the evenly distributed branches look beautiful smothered in vibrant, clear, pink flowers to herald the start of the growing season. Prairifire Crabapple flowers appear on bare branches. Pretty red buds open to a bright, rich, pink, five-petaled flowers, which are borne in clusters on bare branches. Bold new foliage emerges close behind.

The foliage is slightly smaller than most all other Crabapple cultivars and emerge deep purple. As they develop and expand, a deep, dark-green overcast allows the purple haze beneath to show through. You’ll love this pretty effect.

It looks great in fall, when the Prairifire leaves close out the season with an exquisite orange tint. The glowing fall color is very showy.

Each reddish branch is liberally ornamented with glossy, cherry-shaped fruit that hang like ornaments. Prairifire’s decorative fruit display is a showstopper in late summer, fall, all through the winter and into spring—right up until the migrating birds take them off the plant.

Young branches and bark exhibit dark red color. Fresh bark on younger branches have many prominent lenticels, which add a charming visual texture. You’ll love the look of these dramatic, red-barked branches against white snow in winter.

Prairifire is a perfect specimen plant. Place it front and center in your landscape design. You’ll adore this showy plant, with it’s amazing spring flowers, young red leaves and bark, and pretty fruit that remains showy for over half the year.

Order Prairifire from the expert growers at Nature Hills today!

How to Use Prairifire Crabapple in the Landscape

Prairifire Crabapple makes an excellent specimen plant. Use it at the corner of your house to anchor a foundation planting.

Line your driveway with a row of them as a beautiful flowering backdrop. Won’t your guests love coming over to your pretty house?

They’ll create a perfect focal point in a backyard Garden Room or near the patio. Get ready to add a big boost of multi-seasonal interest to your landscape with one tree, or many.

People are using Crabapples in odd numbered groups to great effect, even in a smaller yard. Try three or five Crabapples in a loose triangle or zig-zag planting.

Can’t choose your favorite Crabapple color? Try a grouping of three different spring colors. You can use two Prairifire and a single white or light pink flowering Crab, as well.

Or, stay disciplined and use 3 Prairifire together. You’ll love the sleek, modern look of a mass planting of this incredible selection.

Add a row on the sunny side of an evergreen windbreak or shelterbelt. The rich, pink flowers will pop against an evergreen backdrop.

Use several of these lovely Crabapple trees to screen out ugly views or messy garages, too. they will make a pretty transition tree near a side yard or entrance gate.

Be sure to add exterior lighting near the tree, or group of trees. Point the light upward into the canopy to add a lot of nighttime excitement for you and your guests. Don’t miss a second of the spring flower power!

#ProPlantTips for Care

Prairifire Crabapples are easy to grow in well drained soils. They’ll tolerate clay soil, as long as the puddles drain quickly after a rain. If poor drainage is a problem, create a raised berm or mound 18 - 24 inches above your native soil. Plant directly in that mound.

When planting, make sure the trunk flare is visible just above the roots when planting. Crabapples hate poorly drained soils, so be sure you don’t plant too deeply.

It’s important to provide a moderate amount of regular water to establish your plant. While Crabapples can tolerate short periods of drought, plan to give supplemental water to keep your plant stress free, especially during long dry spells.

Prairifire is best pruned while its dormant in winter. Give your plant plenty of room to spread out to its mature size and height. You won’t want to have to prune for size control and risk losing the sophisticated branch structure of properly sited trees.

When the plant is young, be sure to watch for crossing branches and don’t be afraid to thin the crown lightly to keep the plant open and uniform. Remove smaller branches all the way back to another, larger branch. That way, the overall form remains natural looking.

People adore the Prairifire Crabapple trees for their amazing good looks and easy-breezy care requirements. It’s a trustworthy superstar that performs a hit in every season. Order today!