Crabapple (MALUS THUNDERCHILD) - ‘Thunderchild’
Deep purple leaves emerge on 'Thunderchild' Crabapple after rose colored buds have formed and begin opening to large, dark-pink, single blossoms in mid-spring. These stunning blooms are then followed by tiny (1 cm), ruby-red fruits in abundance that attract birds. Highly disease resistant and extremely hardy, this compact, upright deciduous tree continues to dazzle as its deep purple leaves turn a stunning dark red in the fall.
Due to its many virtues and sized perfectly at 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide, ‘Thunderchild’ makes an excellent specimen tree planted alone or in mass plantings. Extremely cold hardy to USDA Hardiness zone 2, this crabapple is an excellent choice for cold Wyoming winters. It is also adaptable to a wide range of soils and pH. However, it requires full sunlight and should not be allowed to dry out; should be irrigated consistently to keep the soil conditions average to moist. Select a planting site with well-drained soil. Tolerant of urban pollution with a medium growth rate. Like most crabapples, occasional pruning and maintenance is required. Suckers should be removed in summer, but pruning should be done in late winter after the the threat of extreme cold has passed to remove damaged, diseased, or misplaced growth. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.