A sought-after, compact deciduous tree, 'Red Glow' graces gardens with its green leaves that emerge tinged with a regal purple hue, offering a striking contrast. As mid-April arrives, the tree bursts into a profusion of large, clear pink blossoms, rivalling the allure of any rose. These blossoms are succeeded by red to purple edible fruits, unusually substantial for a crab apple, reaching up to 5cm (2in) across, and perfect for culinary ventures.
How to care for Malus Red Glow:
When planting your flowering crab, prepare a hole up to three times the diameter of its root system. Fork over the base of the pit in readiness, incorporating plenty of organic matter into the backfill and planting hole. Avoiding frozen and waterlogged soil, trees should be planted out as they arrive. If you've ordered a bare root tree, soak the roots in a bucket of water for half an hour prior to planting, or if this is not possible, they can be heeled in temporarily, covering their roots with soil, or potted up. Choose a sheltered spot to protect emerging blossom. Remove dead, diseased and crossing branches while the tree is dormant during the winter months.