Kaitoke

Description

Malus 'Kaitoke' is a glorious New Zealand red-flowering weeping crabapple that stops traffic in spring, when its pendulous branches are smothered in bright carmine-red blossom. The show continues as the new leaves emerge with red tones before settling to bronze-green for summer, and small red ornamental fruits appear after the flowers to extend interest into the colder months. Forming a graceful weeping umbrella around 2.5 m tall by 2 m wide at ten years, it is ideal as a feature tree for small gardens, courtyards, streetscapes and watersides. Plant in full sun in most soils, stake and train the leader early to set head height, and winter-prune lightly to keep the cascade shapely. Deciduous, hardy and easy — 'Kaitoke' is the go-to red weeping crab for maximum spring impact in NZ conditions.