Cardinal crab apple trees
Malus hupehensis
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- Self-fertility: Partially self-fertile
- Blossom colour: Pink - dark
- Fruit colour: Red - dark
- Awards: RHS AGM (current) 2012
Malus 'Cardinal' (or 'Princeton Cardinal') is named for its intense purple-pink flowers which are borne in great profusion in April - the tree can appear to be almost drowning under the weight of blossom.
In autumn the tree is covered in tiny dark red fruitlets, which persist on the tree into early winter. In good autumn weather (sunny days and cold nights) the leaves will take on red hues.
Like many pink-flowered crab-apples the leaves are also a deep bronze colour in the spring, lightening to bronze-tinged green over the summer, and taking on some orange colour in the autumn.
Cardinal crab apple trees for sale
Pot-grown
All pot-grown trees are suitable for planting out in the garden, some are suitable for growing in containers.
PG12-year 12L pot-grown tree Semi-vigorous rootstock £60.50
Large tree
(3m-5m after 10 years)
Bare-root
BR11-year bare-root tree Semi-vigorous rootstock £36.75
Large tree
(3m-5m after 10 years)
Need help? Ask our fruit tree experts
Call us on 01759 392007 or fill in our contact form.
Next deliveries
Order now for delivery from week commencing 25th November for pot grown trees or December for bare-root or mixed tree orders.
Delivery charges
Delivery for a single tree starts at £9.95, it is calculated based on your postcode.
Growing and Training
Malus Cardinal is very cold-hardy.
It is also one of the most disease-resistant of the bronze-leaved crab-apples, with good resistance to scab and mildew.
It grows with an attractive upright habit which soon becomes spreading and flat-topped, and makes a pleasing sight in the landscape.
The bronze colouration of the leaves becomes more apparent as the tree gets older.
History
Malus Cardinal is also widely known as 'Princeton Cardinal', having been developed at Princeton, New Jersey.
Although usually considered to belong to the species Malus hupehensis, it actually has a mixed parentage, being a cross of Malus 'Strawberry Parfait' (Malus hupehensis) and Malus 'Crimson Cloud' (Malus baccata x Malus 'Almey'). Most forms of Malus hupehensis have white blossom and green leaves, so Malus Cardinal is quite different in this respect. However it retains the characteristic flat-topped spreading shape of the species.
Cardinal characteristics
- Gardening skillBeginner
- Self-fertilityPartially self-fertile
- Flowering group4
- Pollinating othersPoor
- Climate suitabilityTemperate climatesMild damp climates
- Picking seasonLate
- CroppingGood
- Disease resistanceGood
- Scab (Apple and Pear)Very resistant
- Powdery mildewSome resistance
- Fire blightSome resistance
- Country of originUnited States
- Period of origin1950 - 1999
- Flowering monthApril
- Blossom colourPink - dark
- Fruit colourRed - dark
- AwardsRHS AGM (current)
British-grown trees 
Unlike many garden centres and online retailers, the vast majority of our fruit trees are grown in the UK.
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In addition, all our trees are certified under the Plant Healthy scheme, supervised by the Plant Health Alliance.
Other stakeholders include Defra and the RHS. The scheme aims to improve UK biosecurity by setting standards
for all growers and retailers involved in selling plants in the UK.
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Guaranteed fruit trees
When you buy your fruit tree from Orange Pippin Fruit Trees we guarantee it for the first season in your garden whilst it gets established. If it doesn't grow successfully, we'll either replace it the following season or offer a refund - subject to some conditions.
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