Crabapple - Profusion

This timeless favorite has captured the hearts of gardeners for decades.

• An Abundance of Deep Pink Flowers: In mid-spring, the Profusion is a sight to behold. It produces an incredible number of single, deep purplish-pink flowers with a lighter center. The sheer quantity of the bloom is what gives the tree its name. It’s a magnet for bees and a true spectacle for the neighborhood.
• Colorful, Season-Long Foliage: The show starts even before the flowers open. The new leaves emerge a rich, reddish-purple color, creating a beautiful backdrop for the pink blooms. As summer progresses, the foliage transitions to a lovely bronze-green, holding its color well.
• A Graceful, Spreading Form: The Profusion grows into a beautiful, rounded tree with a somewhat spreading, open habit. Its branching structure is quite handsome and adds a nice architectural element to the winter garden.
• Attractive, Deep Red Fruit: After the flowers fade, the tree develops small, ornamental crabapples that ripen to a deep, oxblood-red or maroon color. They are quite persistent, hanging on the branches into early winter and providing food for hungry birds.

The Profusion Crabapple is easy to grow. Just give it the sun and space it needs to put on its magnificent show.

• Hardiness Zones: This very hardy tree is a reliable choice for a wide range of climates, thriving in USDA Zones 4-8.
• Sunlight: To get the absolute best flower display and the richest foliage color, you must plant your Profusion Crabapple in full sun. A spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day is essential.
• Soil: It is adaptable to a variety of soil types but will perform best in a moist, well-drained, slightly acidic loam. Good drainage is the most important rule to keep it healthy.

Can it grow in a container? No. This is a medium-sized tree that needs to be planted in the ground to develop the strong root system necessary to support its spreading canopy.

The Profusion Crabapple is a reliable performer that doesn't ask for much.

• Watering: Water your new tree regularly and deeply for its first year or two in the ground. This helps it establish a strong root system. Once mature, it has good drought tolerance.
• Pruning: This tree has a lovely natural form and requires minimal pruning. The best time to prune is in late winter or very early spring while the tree is still dormant. You should only need to remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches to promote good health and air circulation.
• Feeding: In most average garden soils, your crabapple will not need fertilizer. It is a strong grower on its own.
• Disease Resistance: The Profusion has fair to good disease resistance. It holds up well against cedar-apple rust and fire blight. Like many older varieties, it can be somewhat susceptible to apple scab in wet, humid springs, which can cause some leaf spotting. Planting it in a sunny spot with good air circulation is the best way to keep it healthy.

The flowers are the main event. They are single, about 1.25 inches across, and a rich, deep wine-red or purplish-pink. They are followed by small, 1/2-inch crabapples that ripen to a beautiful, dark maroon color. The fruit is very firm and tart. While technically edible, it is not palatable for people and is best left for its ornamental value and for the birds to enjoy.

The Profusion grows at a moderate pace, becoming more impressive with each passing year.

• Years 1-3: The young tree will focus on establishing its roots, with steady growth. It will likely produce its first beautiful blooms in its second or third year.
• Years 4-6: Growth will continue at a moderate pace as it begins to develop its spreading canopy. The flower show will become truly spectacular, living up to the "Profusion" name.
• At Maturity: The Profusion Crabapple will typically reach a mature size of about 20 to 30 feet tall with a similar spread, creating a classic, beautifully rounded silhouette.

For the gardener who wants that classic, overwhelming, "WOW" moment in the spring, the Profusion Crabapple is a perfect choice. It’s a wonderful tree for families, providing not just beauty but also a great opportunity to watch pollinators at work. It’s a timeless, reliable, and truly beautiful tree that will shower your garden with color and grace for many years to come.