Preferred common name: Crab apple
Other common names: European apple, wild crab
 The RHS Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris) is one of the ancestors of Malus sylvestris, the domesticated eating apple that is a native, deciduous, small shrubby hedge.
The Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris)is very hardy and does well in all positions, in particular sun or partial shade, dry and exposed areas.
In early May, the RHS Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris) has flowers that are cup-shaped, white with a pink flush emerging from red buds in spring, after they are much sought out by bees. They flower from March to May and leaves are alternate with pointed tips. In autumn, after the frost, yellow-green tinged with red, fleshy apple-like fruits develop that are very sour when raw. Crab Apples have a high pectin content, which makes them ideal for jam making. It is ideal to pick the fruits after frost.
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