Pink Cloud Crabapple is a ornamental tree that transforms into a living bouquet each spring, draped in fully double, fragrant flowers that resemble miniature roses. Discovered in Bellevue, Washington by Ed Lewis, this cultivar reaches 10 feet tall and thrives in hardiness zones 4-9 with full sun and moderate water. Beyond its spectacular floral display, Pink Cloud produces persistent red crabapples that linger into winter, offering both visual interest and the potential for homemade jelly if you can harvest them before the birds claim them.
1
Full Sun
Moderate
4-9
120in H x 12in W
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High
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Pink Cloud earns its name through flowers that emerge from large, rounded magenta pink buds before opening into light pink, fully double blooms with fragrance that rivals garden roses. The vase-like tree is framed by bronze-green foliage and loaded with one-inch red crabapples that cling to branches well into winter, creating a dual-season display. Its deer resistance and pollinator appeal make it a substantial addition to any landscape seeking year-round ornamental value.
Pink Cloud serves primarily as an ornamental specimen tree, valued for its stunning spring to early summer bloom display and persistent winter fruit. The tart crabapples can be harvested for jelly making, though the fruit's persistence on the tree and its appeal to birds means the primary draw is visual rather than culinary. The combination of fragrant flowers and lasting fruit makes it a landscape statement rather than a productive food plant.
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Direct sow in early spring 3 to 4 weeks before your last frost date, or in early autumn in zones 7 through 10. Plant seeds at a depth of 1/8 inch in prepared soil and keep consistently moist until germination occurs.
Crabapples are ready for harvest when they reach full red color and separate easily from the branch, typically around 98 days from seed to bloom. Harvest for jelly making anytime after the fruit has fully colored; wear gloves as the persistent fruit can be difficult to remove. Many gardeners leave fruit on the tree through winter for ornamental value and winter bird food.
Pink Cloud develops a naturally vase-like form that requires minimal intervention. Light pruning to maintain shape and remove any crossing or damaged branches can be done after flowering. Avoid heavy pruning, which will reduce the following season's bloom.
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“Pink Cloud was discovered by Ed Lewis of Bellevue, Washington, a region renowned for apple breeding and selection. This cultivar represents the kind of spontaneous garden find that occasionally emerges when a keen eye spots something exceptional in a landscape. Lewis recognized the potential in this tree's extraordinary floral characteristics and propagated it for wider cultivation, introducing a crabapple that had previously been unknown to the commercial nursery trade.”