Purple Spire Columnar Crabapple

Malus ‘JFS-KW213MX’ Purple Spire®

Purple Spire Columnar Crabapple is a narrow, upright ornamental tree with deep purple foliage, pink flowers, and small burgundy fruit that persists into winter. It is a cold-hardy, low-maintenance tree that thrives in prairie climates (Zone 3), making it an excellent choice for small yards, urban landscapes, and tight spaces in Southwest Saskatchewan.

Planting & Location

• Hardiness Zone: 3-7 (well-suited for cold winters)
• Mature Size: 15-20 feet tall, 6-8 feet wide
• Growth Rate: Moderate (12-18 inches per year)
• Sunlight Needs: Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day)
• Soil Preference:
  • Prefers well-drained, loamy soil.
  • Tolerates clay, sandy, and slightly alkaline soils.
  • Avoid poorly drained or wet soils—crabapples dislike standing water.
• Spacing: 6-8 feet apart for a hedge, 8-10 feet apart for individual trees.

Watering

• Young Trees (First 2 Years): Deep water once per week to establish roots.
• Established Trees: Water every 2-3 weeks in dry periods.
• Avoid Overwatering: Let the topsoil dry between waterings to prevent root rot.

Fertilizing

• First Year: No fertilizer needed—focus on root establishment.
• Mature Trees:
  • Apply a slow-release balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) in early spring.
  • Organic alternative: Compost or aged manure in spring.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Best Time to Prune: Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts.
• How to Prune:
  • Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches to improve airflow.
  • Maintain a strong central leader for upright growth.
  • Light shaping as needed—minimal pruning required.

Pest & Disease Management

Common Pests:

• Aphids – Can cause curled leaves and sticky honeydew.
  • Solution: Spray with insecticidal soap or encourage natural predators (ladybugs).
• Apple Maggot – Larvae tunnel inside fruit.
  • Solution: Use sticky traps and clean up fallen fruit.
• Tent Caterpillars – Form web-like nests in branches.
  • Solution: Prune out nests and destroy them.

Common Diseases:

• Apple Scab – Causes dark, scabby lesions on leaves and fruit.
  • Solution: Choose disease-resistant varieties and apply fungicide if needed.
• Fire Blight – Causes black, scorched-looking branches.
  • Solution: Prune infected areas 8-12 inches below infection and disinfect tools.
• Powdery Mildew – White fungal growth on leaves.
  • Solution: Improve air circulation and remove infected leaves.

Winter Protection

• Young Trees: Protect trunks with tree wrap or guards to prevent sunscald and frost cracks.
• Mulching: Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around the base to insulate roots.
• Deer & Rodents: Use tree guards if browsing is an issue.

Landscape Uses

Perfect for narrow spaces and small yards
Low-maintenance and highly ornamental
Deep purple foliage provides year-round interest
Beautiful pink spring flowers attract pollinators
Small fruit provides food for birds in winter

Additional Notes:

• Purple Spire Columnar Crabapple is one of the best compact ornamental trees for small urban gardens and narrow spaces.
• Lifespan: 20-40 years with proper care.
• Works well as a specimen tree, street tree, or privacy screen.

Photo courtesy of Foothills Nursery