Malus robusta Yellow Siberian - Crab Apple

Malus x robusta 'Yellow Siberian' is a variety of ornamental apple tree full of advantages and decorative for a large part of the year. In spring, pretty pink buds produce pure white single flowers, much appreciated by bees. They are well highlighted by the dark green foliage. In late summer, a multitude of decorative yellow fruits appear and last until winter, delighting birds during this difficult time. This variety is not susceptible to diseases. Very hardy, this apple tree adapts to the majority of soils that are not too dry. It is still a little-known variety that deserves to be planted more, especially since it is very easy to grow.

Ornamental apple trees originate from various botanical species of the Malus genus. They belong to the Rosaceae family, like most of our fruit trees (pear, plum, apricot, peach) and many ornamental plants. Hardy, adaptable, and easy to grow, flowering apple trees are satisfied with ordinary soil, but prefer loamy, deep, loose, and moist soil, as well as sunny exposures. Once established, they can tolerate neglect while maintaining their generous nature. Numerous cultivars have been developed in Europe, as well as in the United States, becoming increasingly attractive and resistant to diseases.

'Yellow Siberian' is an ancient variety, imported from Siberia around 1920 by Niels Ebbesen Hansen, an American-Danish horticulturist and botanist. This enthusiast conducted explorations in the harsh climates of northern Scandinavia, Siberia, and Manchuria in search of plants acclimatisable to the United States. Malus x robusta is a hybrid resulting from the cross-breeding between Malus baccata (originating from Russia, Mongolia, China, Korea) and Malus prunifolia from China. Malus x robusta forms an extremely hardy, fairly large tree, 12m (39ft) tall and 10m (33ft) wide.

The 'Yellow Siberian' variety has a much more limited growth, reaching a maximum height of 4 or 5m (13 or 16ft), with a width of 3 to 4m (10 to 13ft), making it a great choice for small gardens. This small tree has a slightly disordered habit in the early years. It eventually forms a rounded crown. It has inherited a great resistance to cold, down to approximately -34°C (-29.2°F), as well as good resistance to diseases that spare its dark green foliage. In April, it is adorned with floral buds of a lovely pink colour that open into pure white single flowers, until May. These flowers, with their romantic charm and light fragrance, gathered in small bouquets, stand out well against the rather dark mass of foliage. They are nectar-producing, and are popular with bees. The flowering is followed by the formation of a multitude of relatively large apples, with a beautiful golden yellow colour. These fruits are much appreciated by birds, and remain attached to the plant for a good part of winter.

Like many flowering apple trees, Malus 'Yellow Siberian' is a good pollinator for fruit-bearing apple trees. Decorative both with its flowers and fruits for several months of the year, it is an excellent choice for a small garden. It can be planted alone on a lawn, in a flower bed alongside other ornamental plants, and even in a rural hedge, where its natural appearance allows it to blend in and where it will be appreciated by wildlife. To create a decorative flower bed for winter, plant it with other plants with decorative fruits such as the European Spindle Tree, Euonymus europaeus, with orange and pink fruits (toxic!) in the shape of "bishop's hats", and with a slightly wild appearance. Snowberries with their white, pink, or purplish berries, depending on the variety, will be good companions under the branches of this Siberian apple tree.