Malus Fontana - Crab Apple

Malus domestica 'Fontana' is a variety of ornamental apple tree grafted on a stem, with trailing branches that form a cascade almost to the ground. It is a small weeping tree that catches attention in spring with its abundant flowering of pink buds and white corollas, in summer with the fountain of greenery it forms, and again in late summer with its clusters of small red apples. Its very moderate growth is suitable for gardens of all sizes or for a large container. It is not susceptible to diseases of fruit apple trees.

The ornamental apple trees or crabapple trees come from various botanical species of the genus Malus belonging to the rose family. Hardy, accommodating, and easy to grow, flowering apple trees can thrive in ordinary soil, but prefer loamy, deep, loose, and moist soil, as well as sunny exposures. Once established, they can tolerate being forgotten while maintaining their generous character. Numerous cultivars have emerged in Europe, as well as in the United States, becoming increasingly attractive and disease-resistant.

The 'Fontana' ornamental apple tree has a trunk topped with a trailing crown. Its average dimensions at the age of 10 are about 2 m in all directions. It maintains its magnificent habit without the need for pruning and develops fine wood. Flowering takes place in April-May depending on the climate, on the bare branches, in the form of numerous pink buds gathered in small clusters. They bloom into single flowers, 3.5 to 4 cm in diameter, with a barely pinkish-white colour. The leaves appear towards the end of the flowering period. After pollination by bees, a multitude of small round apples form, often in small clusters. When ripe in September, they turn a very bright red. Loved by birds, these fruits remain attached to the bush until late autumn, in November. The deciduous foliage is composed of ovate, alternate, and toothed leaves. It turns yellow before falling in autumn.

Malus 'Fontana', like many flowering apple trees, is a good pollinator for early-flowering fruit apple trees. Its abundant flowering, although perhaps less long-lasting than that of a cherry tree, is prolonged by the beauty of the fruits in late summer. Its magnificent weeping habit is a major asset for this charming variety. Bees buzz in its crown and it also attracts many birds. It will find a place in a modest-sized garden, placed prominently, or in a large container near an entrance. To accompany it in the garden, one can plant perennial hardy geraniums, border roses in pastel or red colours or a carpet of snow-in-summer...