Plant field guide
Flowering Crabapple (Prairiefire)
One of the top-rated crabapples for disease resistance and four-season interest — deep pinkish-red buds open to rose-red flowers, followed by persistent dark maroon-red fruits that feed birds all winter. Reddish-purple new leaves.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Malus 'Prairiefire'
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- moderate
- Height
- 144 in (366 cm) – 240 in (610 cm)
- Spread
- 144 in (366 cm) – 240 in (610 cm)
- Spacing
- 144 in (366 cm)
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 4–8; average annual extreme minimum from -30°F (-34.4°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- easy
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: March, April.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Prairiefire has outstanding disease resistance to scab, fire blight, and mildew — more important than appearance for long-term success. Persistent small fruits provide critical winter bird food. Rounded form, rarely needs pruning.
Pruning
Prune in early spring before bud break. Remove water sprouts and crossed branches. Minimal pruning needed for natural form.
Fertilizer
Balanced slow-release
Early spring only
Mulch
3–4 inches organic mulch in a wide ring.