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Prairifire Flowering Crabapple Tree

Malus x 'Prairifire'

Regular price $7999
  • Out of stock
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Delivery and Shipping

Shipping

To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.

 

Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.

*If you have found your zone already, it will be highlighted in the table below.

Standard Shipping Rates

At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.

From To S&H
$0 $19.99 $24.99
$20 $49.99 $29.99
$50 $69.99 $34.99
$70 $99.99 $39.99
$100 $129.99 $44.99
$130 $149.99 $48.99
$150 $150+ Approx 28%

Click here to see our full rates

Plant Highlights

Prairifire Flowering Crabapple Tree highlights at a glance!

Specifications

  • Brand
    Nature Hills' Choice
  • Botanical Name
    Malus x 'Prairifire'
  • Growing Zones
    4-8
  • Mature Height
    15 - 20 feet
  • Mature Spread
    15 - 20 feet
  • Sun Exposure
    Full Sun
  • Moisture
    Moderate
  • Soil
    Well Drained
  • Growth Rate
    Medium
  • Flower Color
    Pink
  • Fall Color
    Orange
  • Pollinator Friendly
    Yes
  • Pollinator Required
    No
  • Fragrant
    Yes
  • Pruning Time
    Late Winter
  • Bloom Period
    Late Spring

Beautiful All Year, Care-Free Prairifire Crabapple

  • Incredible Display of Fragrant, Rich Pink Flowers in Spring
  • Vibrant Bloom Color that Holds Well
  • Beautifully Fine-Textured, Purple Leaves Have Dark Green Overcast
  • Brilliant Dark Purple-Red Fruit Persists for Ornamental Display in Fall and Winter
  • Small Fruit Feeds Songbirds
  • Excellent Disease Resistant
  • Tolerates Clay Soil
  • Some Tolerance to Drought
  • Urban Tolerant Tree Works in City Environments
  • Hardy

The show-stopping Prairifire Crabapple Tree (Malus ‘Prairifire’) is a gorgeous, pink flowering Crabapple tree with truly outstanding ornamental features! This improved variety is a breakthrough Flowering 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 Flowering Crabapple flowers appear on bare branches. Pretty red buds open to 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 emerges 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 hangs 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 a dark red color. Fresh bark on younger branches has 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 it's 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!

Customer Reviews

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D
Denise
Prairie Fire Crabapple

M tree was planted last year. So far, it looks healthy and the branches have new growth. Looking forward to the flowers!

Hello Denise,

Thank you so much for sharing your lovely update on your Prairie Fire Crabapple! We’re thrilled to hear your tree looks healthy and that the branches are showing new growth—that’s a wonderful sign it’s settling in beautifully. The vibrant flowers on a Prairie Fire Crabapple truly are a showstopper, and we can’t wait for you to enjoy that burst of color in the coming bloom season.

If you ever have any questions about care tips to help encourage robust flowering—like optimal watering, mulch, or pruning feel free to reach out. We’re happy to share advice to keep your tree thriving year after year.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

D
Denise
Prairie Fire Crabapple

M tree was planted last year. So far, it looks healthy and the branches have new growth. Looking forward to the flowers!

Hello Denise,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful update about your Prairie Fire Crabapple! We’re delighted to hear that your tree is thriving with healthy new growth. It’s always exciting to look forward to those beautiful blossoms—they really do make a spectacular show once they start flowering.

As you continue to care for your tree, making sure it gets plenty of sunlight and regular watering (especially in dry spells) will help encourage vibrant blooms next spring. Additionally, pruning any crossing or dead branches during late winter can keep your tree strong and healthy for years to come.

If you ever have questions about caring for your crabapple or want tips throughout the seasons, please don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re here to help!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

C
Cindy
Prairifie Crabapple

It arrived in great condition ready for fall planting! Can’t wait to see it next spring!

Hello Cindy,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience! We’re delighted to hear your Prairifie Crabapple arrived in great condition and is ready for its fall planting. It’s always exciting to anticipate the beautiful blooms and vibrant colors that these trees bring come spring. As you prepare for planting, a good tip is to plant in a spot with full sun to maximize growth and flowering. Also, make sure the soil stays moist but well-drained to give your crabapple the best start.

If you have any questions throughout the process or want more tips as your tree grows, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here for you!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

C
Cindy
Prairifie Crabapple

It arrived in great condition ready for fall planting! Can’t wait to see it next spring!

Hi Cindy,

Thank you so much for sharing your excitement with us! We're thrilled to hear that your Prairifie Crabapple arrived in excellent condition and is ready to find its new home just in time for fall planting. Planting now gives it a great head start for strong roots, and we can't wait with you to see those beautiful blooms come spring!

If you need any tips on winter care or how to encourage healthy growth once the weather warms up, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always happy to help make your gardening experience as joyful as possible.

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

L
Loretta
Healthy

Just planted these. They arrived in great condition. Look healthy. Will know more come spring when it flowers.

Dear Loretta,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We're delighted to hear that your plants arrived in great condition and look healthy. You’ve made a wonderful start by getting them securely planted now, and we’re just as excited as you to see how beautifully they’ll flower this spring. If you have any questions or need care tips as they grow, please don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re here to help every step of the way.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts