Malus × moerlandsii ‘Profusion’

We’ve grown ‘Profusion’ for years on our Thurning ground; it’s a reliable and handsome crab apple. In spring, the bare branches are smothered in fragrant, deep rose-pink to reddish-purple flowers. The new leaves emerge a reddish-purple colour at the same time, creating a lovely, soft haze of colour.

This is a deciduous tree with a spreading, rounded habit, eventually reaching between 6 and 12 metres in height. The young purple leaves mature to a bronze-green through summer. It’s happy in most moderately fertile soils, as long as they are well-drained, and prefers a spot in full sun but will tolerate some light shade.

Minimal pruning is needed; just remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches in late winter before the new growth begins. In autumn, small, deep purple or blood-red fruits appear, which are a great food source for birds over winter. It’s an excellent choice for a specimen tree in a city or cottage garden.