This small tree has upright-spreading purplish brown branches that form a vase habit with a dense rounded crown. It has dark green oval leaves and the white bell-shaped flowers appear in a cluster from mid to late spring followed by persisted red fruit.

Hardiness zones 4 to 9 

Malus hupehensis is naturally found in China growing in valley thickets and the adjoining slopes from sea level to an altitude of 2900 m (8, 800ft). It prefers an open sunny position and grows in well-drained fertile moist soils that a tending acidic with a pH 5.5-7.5 and is frost and slightly drought tolerant.

The Tea Crabapple is grown for its flowers and colourful fruit. It is planted in parks and gardens as a specimen or used in woodland settings. It is suitable for coastal and low-mountain regions establishing in 3-4 years and is long-lived. The young leaves may be used as a tea substitute and the plant may be grown as a bonsai subject. ID 3474

Malus (MAH-lus) hupehensis (HOO-pey-HEN-sis)

'Malus': Latin name for the apple.

Rosaceae (ro-ZAY-see-ee)
Rose Family