Maryland Native Keystone Plants: Malus angustifolia – Southern Crabapple

Jun 3, 2025 | Blog, Native Plant Spotlight

Maryland Native Keystone Plants

Malus angustifolia – Southern Crabapple

Southern Crabapple

Malus angustifolia also called Southern Crabapple, is a shrub or small tree 20 to 30 feet in height. Its native habitat is pine woodlands or mixed woods in open to medium densities. Its branches spread outward to form a rounded open crown. Some states consider this native to be threatened or “of concern” due to losses of native habitats or inadequate reseeding. Southern crabapple in full sun or part shade will encourage more blooms and fruiting. Any pruning needed is mostly for ground suckers or for shaping the tree by removing unwanted or problem branches, such as those crossing or rubbing against each other. Well-drained, but moist and slightly acid soils are appropriate. It can grow in flat or sloped areas but does need some space.

It works well near the borders of woodlands, as a backdrop to a fence, or in “wild” or native areas. Some prefer the crabapple for its beautiful blooms and small apples for jellies and jams but prefer that it be away from a mowing or walking area due to those same small fruits that fall onto the ground. If space is available, a grove of crabapples provides for a multitude of wildlife ranging from birds and pollinators to multiple small mammals and deer. This may help to keep less desirable garden visitors away from more desirable crops in late summer through fall. Depending on the age of the sapling, crops can begin within 3 to 4 years and reach abundance by 6 or 7 years. Great early season pollen for bees.

What makes this a Keystone Plant? 237 Lepidoptera species use the Malus species as a host plant.