Gladiator Crabapple

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Pink Spring Blooms
Purple Foliage Color

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#15 Container

$223.00

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2-3" Caliper

$461.00

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Gladiator Crabapple

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizing
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

Gladiator Crabapple

Gladiator Crabapple is a narrow flowering ornamental tree prized for vivid pink spring blooms, glossy purple foliage, and small decorative fruit. Its upright shape brings colorful vertical structure to sunny landscapes, making it especially useful for compact yards, entries, streetscapes, and border plantings.

Why choose Gladiator Crabapple?

Choose Gladiator Crabapple for bold color in a space-saving form. This ornamental crabapple delivers a showy spring flower display, deep purple to bronze-purple foliage through much of the growing season, and small reddish-purple fruit that adds seasonal interest and can attract birds. Its upright habit is especially valuable where a broad-canopied tree would feel too large, giving landscapes height, bloom, foliage contrast, and structure without overwhelming nearby plantings.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Malus × adstringens ‘Durleo’
Common Name: Gladiator Crabapple
Plant Type: Deciduous ornamental tree
Growth Habit: Upright, narrow to columnar flowering tree

Gladiator Crabapple Additional Information

Gladiator Crabapple creates a strong sequence of multi-season interest. In spring, deep pink buds open into bright pink flowers along the upright branches, creating a colorful display that supports pollinator activity. The foliage emerges rich purple to bronze-purple and remains ornamental through the growing season, giving the tree visual value even after bloom.

Small ornamental crabapples develop later in the season, adding decorative color and potential food for birds. As a deciduous tree, Gladiator Crabapple drops its leaves in fall and shows a clean, vertical branch structure through winter. It works beautifully as a specimen tree, paired entry accent, narrow lawn tree, streetscape planting, or colorful vertical feature in mixed borders. Light pruning is best used to remove damaged, crossing, or crowded branches while preserving its naturally upright shape.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant Gladiator Crabapple in full sun with well-drained soil and enough room for its mature height and upright canopy. Set the root flare at or slightly above soil level, backfill with native soil, and water thoroughly after planting.

2. Watering: Water deeply and consistently during the first growing seasons to help establish a strong root system. Once established, provide supplemental water during extended dry periods, especially in hot, exposed, or paved-adjacent sites.

3. Mulching: Apply a wide mulch ring around the base to conserve soil moisture, reduce turf competition, and protect the trunk from mower damage. Keep mulch pulled back several inches from the bark.

4. Pruning: Prune during dormancy to remove broken, crossing, or crowded branches and to maintain its upright structure. Avoid heavy shearing so the tree keeps its natural ornamental form.

Related Resources

FAQs

How large does Gladiator Crabapple grow?
Gladiator Crabapple is typically a small to medium ornamental tree with a narrow, upright form. Mature size varies by growing conditions, but it is generally selected for spaces where width is limited.
When does Gladiator Crabapple bloom?
It blooms in spring, producing showy pink flowers before or as the foliage emerges. Bloom timing varies with local weather and seasonal temperatures.
Does Gladiator Crabapple produce fruit?
Yes. Gladiator Crabapple produces small red crabapples after flowering. The fruit adds ornamental color and may attract birds later in the season.
Where should I plant Gladiator Crabapple?
Plant it in full sun as a specimen, entry accent, streetscape tree, or narrow-space ornamental. Give it well-drained soil, good air movement, and enough room away from buildings and overhead lines.

Shipping Details

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Tall Growth
Full Sun
Flowering

Mature Height	Medium: Up to 30 ft
Mature Spread	5-10 ft
Growth Rate	Fast
Botanical Name	Malus 'DurLeo'
Bloom Time	Mid spring
Flower Color	Pink
Family	Rosaceae
Deer Resistant	No
Hardiness Zones	4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Light Needs	Full Sun
Maintenance	Low
Size	#15 Container, 2-3" Caliper

Map of the United States with all states filled in green, showing a uniform green fill across the country.

Growing Zones 3-8 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -40)

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Family	Fabaceae	Fagaceae	Rosaceae	Sapindaceae	Rosaceae	Betulaceae
Flower Color	White	Yellow/Orange	White	Non Flowering	White	Non Flowering
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