Malus Cultivars L-M

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Credits

Julian Sutton (species), Nick Dunn (cultivars) (2021)

Recommended citation
Sutton, J. & Dunn, N. (2021), 'Malus Cultivars L-M' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/malus/malus-cultivars-l-m/). Accessed 2024-03-28.

Genus

Glossary

hybrid
Plant originating from the cross-fertilisation of genetically distinct individuals (e.g. two species or two subspecies).

References

There are no active references in this article.

Credits

Julian Sutton (species), Nick Dunn (cultivars) (2021)

Recommended citation
Sutton, J. & Dunn, N. (2021), 'Malus Cultivars L-M' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/malus/malus-cultivars-l-m/). Accessed 2024-03-28.

We aim to include the most important contemporary ornamental cultivars in Europe and North America, a few likely to become so, and a selection of significant older varieties. Orchard apples are excluded. Where a cultivar can confidently be attributed to a species or hybrid nothospecies, we duplicate the description there, but these cultivar pages include everything.


'Lady Northcliffe'

Synonyms / alternative names
Malus baccata 'Lady Northcliffe'

Growth Rate/Size: Small (<4 m)
Form/shape/habit: Rounded, dense
Foliage: Green
Flower colour: Pink fading to white
Flower size: Small (<3 cm)
Flower form: Single
Flower season: Mid
Fruit size: Small (<2 cm)
Fruit shape: Spherical
Fruit colour: Yellow-orange
Fruit season: Mid
Disease resistance/susceptibility: Resistant
Parentage/origin: Probably a seedling (perhaps hybridized) of M. baccata
Raiser/collector: Aldenham House, Hertfordshire, UK (garden of Vicary Gibbs); introduced to North America by the Morton Arboretum, IL, 1929
Date of introduction: Before 1929
General notes: A charming and pretty crabapple worthy of wider circulation, especially because of its disease resistance.


'Lanzam'

Synonyms / alternative names
Malus LANCELOT®

Growth Rate/Size: Small (<4 m)
Form/shape/habit: Upright, broadly conical
Foliage: Green, not lobed
Flower colour: White from dark red buds
Flower size: Small (<3 cm)
Flower form: Single
Fruit size: Small (<2 cm)
Fruit shape: Round
Fruit colour: Golden yellow
Fruit season: Persistent
Disease resistance/susceptibility: Highly resistant
Parentage/origin: Self-sown, probably from M. toringo
Raiser/collector: James Zampini, Lake County Nursery, OH, USA
Date of introduction: About 1991
General notes: PP 8056 granted 1992.


'Laura'

Awards
AGM

Growth Rate/Size: Small (< 4m)
Form/shape/habit: Narrowly upright
Foliage: Small, purple turning dark green
Flower colour: Bright pink with white centres
Flower size: Medium (<4 cm)
Flower form: Single
Flower season: Mid
Fruit size: Medium (<3 cm)
Fruit shape: Round
Fruit colour: Dark purple turning red
Fruit season: Mid
Disease resistance/susceptibility: Resistant
Parentage/origin: M. ‘Maypole’ × M. ‘White Star’
Raiser/collector: Hugh Ermen, Faversham, Kent, UK
Date of introduction: 1996
General notes: One of the finest introductions for small gardens, with its compact columnar habit, disease resistance and unusual two-tone flowers. It is also the ‘standard’ for dark crab apple jelly. Very productive and easily harvested if taken just as the first fruits begin to drop.


'Lemoinei'

Synonyms / alternative names
Malus × purpurea 'Lemoinei'

Growth Rate/Size: Medium (< 6 m)
Form/shape/habit: Upright, spreading
Foliage: Large, purple turning green.
Flower colour: Deep wine-red
Flower size: Medium (<4 cm)
Flower form: Single
Flower season: Early
Fruit size: Small (<2 cm)
Fruit shape: Round
Fruit colour: Dark red ageing bronze
Fruit season: Mid
Disease resistance/susceptibility: Low susceptibility
Parentage/origin: M. sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana × (M. × atrosanguinea)
Raiser/collector: Victor Lemoine et Fils, Nancy, France
Date of introduction: 1922
General notes: One of the better red-blooming crab apples for its superb quality flowers that hold their colour well at maturity, and for its healthy, lush foliage. The fruits are insignificant. It has given way commercially to more modern selections, but holds its own among similar types, worth seeking out.
(Description duplicated under Malus × purpurea ‘Lemoinei’)


'Liset'

Synonyms / alternative names
Malus × moerlandsii 'Liset'

Growth Rate/Size: Medium (<6 m)
Form/shape/habit: Rounded, open
Foliage: Maroon turning bronze-green
Flower colour: Rose-red from crimson buds
Flower size: Medium (<4 cm)
Flower form: Single
Flower season: Early
Fruit size: Small (<2 cm)
Fruit shape: Round
Fruit colour: Dark crimson, glossy
Fruit season: Early
Disease resistance/susceptibility: Low susceptibility
Parentage/origin: M. × purpurea ‘Lemoinei’ × M. toringo (hence referable to M. × moerlandsii)
Raiser/collector: Simon Doorenbos, The Hague, Netherlands.
Date of introduction: Raised 1938, named 1952 for the raiser’s granddaughter
General notes: Highly regarded for its flower and fruit quality, a good landscape crab considered an improvement on its parent M. × purpurea ‘Lemoinei’.
(Description duplicated under Malus × moerlandsii ‘Liset’)


'Lollizam'

Synonyms / alternative names
Malus LOLLIPOP®

Growth Rate/Size: Small (<4 m)
Form/shape/habit: Dense, rounded
Foliage: Green
Flower colour: White from pink buds
Flower form: Single
Fruit size: Small (<2 cm)
Fruit colour: Yellow (red occasionally claimed)
Disease resistance/susceptibility: Resistant
Raiser/collector: James Zampini, Lake County Nursery, OH, USA
Date of introduction: Before 2009


'Louisa'

Growth Rate/Size: Small (<4 m)
Form/shape/habit: Weeping/umbrella
Foliage: Dark green, glossy
Flower colour: Pink
Flower size: Small (<3 cm)
Flower form: Single
Flower season: Mid
Fruit size: Very small (<1 cm)
Fruit shape: Oblong/oval
Fruit colour: Lemon-gold
Fruit season: Mid
Disease resistance/susceptibility: Resistant
Raiser/collector: Polly Hill, MA, USA ; named for her daughter.
Date of introduction: 1962
General notes: A very graceful small tree with attractive flowers. One of the best disease resistant weeping crabs.


'Makamik'

Growth Rate/Size: Large (>6 m)
Form/shape/habit: Rounded
Foliage: Green, bronzed when young
Flower colour: Purple-red from very dark red buds
Flower size: Large (>4 cm)
Flower form: Single
Fruit size: Medium (<3 cm)
Fruit shape: Elongated
Fruit colour: Red with a bloom
Disease resistance/susceptibility: Resistant
Parentage/origin: Open pollinated seedling from M. sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana
Raiser/collector: Isabella Preston, Ontario, Canada
Date of introduction: 1930
General notes: An unusual example of an older rosybloom variety which is disease resistant. Named for Lake Makamik, Quebec.


'Malusquest'

Synonyms / alternative names
Malus PINK SPARKLES®

Growth Rate/Size: Medium (<6 m)
Form/shape/habit: Pyramidal
Foliage: Dark green
Flower colour: Soft pink from red buds
Flower size: Medium (<4 cm)
Flower form: Single
Fruit size: Small (<2 cm)
Fruit shape: Round
Fruit colour: Bright red, darker after frost
Fruit season: Very persistent
Disease resistance/susceptibility: Resistant
Parentage/origin: ‘Jewelcole’ × ‘Prairifire’
Raiser/collector: Jeff & Karen Pansing, Majestic Nursery, OH, USA
Date of introduction: About 2002
General notes: PP 12482 granted 2002


'Mandarin'

Synonyms / alternative names
Malus bhutanica 'Mandarin'
Malus toringoides 'Mandarin'

Growth Rate/Size: Large (>6 m)
Form/shape/habit: Broadly pyramidal
Foliage: Dark green, deeply lobed; good autumn colour
Flower colour: White
Flower size: Medium (<3 cm)
Flower form: Single
Flower season: Late
Fruit size: Small (<2 cm)
Fruit shape: Round
Fruit colour: Yellow with red blush
Disease resistance/susceptibility: Resistant
Parentage/origin: A clone of M. bhutanica
Raiser/collector: East Malling Research Station, Kent, UK
Date of introduction: 1997 by Netherlands Inspection Service for Horticulture (NAKB)
General notes: Fragrant flowers. M. bhutanica normally has a more spreading habitat: this clone is marketed in Europe for street planting, where a narrower crown is desirable.
(Description duplicated under Malus bhutanica ‘Mandarin’)


'Mary Potter'

Growth Rate/Size: Small (<4 m)
Form/shape/habit: Broadly spreading
Flower colour: White, initially fringed pink, from pink buds
Flower size: Small (<3 cm)
Flower form: Single
Flower season: Late
Fruit size: Small (<2 cm)
Fruit shape: Round
Fruit colour: Bright red
Fruit season: Late
Disease resistance/susceptibility: Low susceptibility
Parentage/origin: A hybrid between ‘Rosea’ (a triploid seedling of M. toringo var. sargentii, q.v.) and M. × atrosanguinea
Raiser/collector: Karl Sax, Arnold Arboretum, MA, USA
Date of introduction: 1947
General notes: Bold and abundant flowers with impressively long stamens; fully open flowers contrast well with those still in pink bud. Named for the daughter of Charles Sargent, first director of the Arnold Arboretum. A triploid that tends to come true from seed, presumably an apomict.


'Mattfru'

Synonyms / alternative names
Malus JELLY KING

Awards
AGM

Growth Rate/Size: Medium (<6 m)
Form/shape/habit: Broadly spreading
Flower colour: White
Flower size: Medium (<4 cm)
Flower form: Single
Flower season: Mid
Fruit size: Large (>3 cm)
Fruit shape: Round
Fruit colour: Tricolour pink/yellow/bright orange
Fruit season: Late, persistent
Disease resistance/susceptibility: Resistant
Raiser/collector: Tom Matthews, Wanganui, New Zealand
Date of introduction: New Zealand Plant Variety Rights granted 1998. Introduced in Europe 2007.
General notes: A stunning fruit display from late September to late November makes this healthy ornamental tree a valuable contribution in any garden. A fine choice for crabapple jelly, even if harvested quite late. When cut open, the fruit flesh often displays a speckled browning, possibly caused by calcium deficiency, but this does not affect either fruit persistence or jelly quality.


'Maypole'

Synonyms / alternative names
Malus domestica 'Maypole'

Growth Rate/Size: Small (<4 m)
Form/shape/habit: Narrowly columnar
Foliage: Large, dark maroon becoming dark green
Flower colour: Magenta-pink
Flower size: Large (>4 cm)
Flower form: Single
Flower season: Mid
Fruit size: Medium (<3 cm)
Fruit shape: Round
Fruit colour: Dark red
Fruit season: Mid
Disease resistance/susceptibility: Resistant
Parentage/origin: M. domestica ‘Mcintosh Wijcik’ (columnar) × M. ‘Baskatong’ (a rosybloom)
Raiser/collector: Bred by Kenneth Tobutt, East Malling Research Station, Kent, UK
Date of introduction: 1988
General notes: The only ornamental Malus included amongst several columnar apple trees in the Ballerina series, and a breeding breakthrough by Dr Ken Tobutt. Flower quality is superb, while the fruit are large, dark red fleshed, and make excellent jelly. Unfortunately, it was sidelined by the higher profiled orchard apple cultivars in the series.


'Mazam'

Synonyms / alternative names
Malus MADONNA®

Growth Rate/Size: Small (<4 m)
Form/shape/habit: Compact, upright.
Foliage: Large, dark green
Flower colour: White
Flower size: Large (>4 cm)
Flower form: Double
Flower season: Early
Fruit size: No fruit
Disease resistance/susceptibility: Low susceptibility
Raiser/collector: John L. Fiala, OH, USA, 1979
Date of introduction: 1987 by Lake County Nursery, OH
General notes: Although not as densely double as M. ‘Snowcloud’, the flower is exceptionally large, pure white even in bud, and appearing as small roses. It is also relatively disease resistant. A good compact shape; the flowering season can extend to more than three weeks. Fiala, a Catholic priest, named it ‘Madonna’ on a feast day to honour the Virgin Mary. PP 6672 granted 1989. Still uncommon in Europe, and worthy of wider appreciation.


'Mokum'

Growth Rate/Size: Large (>6 m)
Form/shape/habit: Upright, oval
Foliage: Purplish-green
Flower colour: Purplish-pink from brown-purple buds
Flower size: Medium (<4 cm)
Flower form: Single
Fruit size: Small (<2 cm)
Fruit colour: Purplish-red
Disease resistance/susceptibility: Resistant
Parentage/origin: ‘Profusion’ × ‘Liset’
Raiser/collector: Henk Wansing Nurseries, The Netherlands
Date of introduction: 1994


'Molazam'

Synonyms / alternative names
Malus MOLTEN LAVA®

Growth Rate/Size: Small (<4 m)
Form/shape/habit: Broadly weeping
Foliage: Small, narrowly pointed, green
Flower colour: White from carmine-red buds
Flower size: Small (<3 cm)
Flower form: Single
Flower season: Mid
Fruit size: Very small (<1 cm)
Fruit shape: Round
Fruit colour: Orange-red
Fruit season: Mid to late
Disease resistance/susceptibility: Resistant
Parentage/origin: Unknown, but a complex hybrid
Raiser/collector: John L Fiala, OH, USA, 1980
Date of introduction: Before 1996 by Klehm Nursery, IL, and Lake County Nursery, OH
General notes: A graceful weeping tree developing horizontal branches. Dense, fragrant flowers clothe the branches, followed by heavy crops of persistent fruit. An important parent of other Fiala hybrids.


'Montreal Beauty'

Growth Rate/Size: Small (<4 m)
Form/shape/habit: Upright, open
Foliage: Green
Flower colour: White from pink buds
Flower size: Large (>4 cm)
Flower form: Single, slightly fragrant
Flower season: Mid
Fruit size: Large (>3 cm)
Fruit shape: Conical
Fruit colour: Bright red/yellow/orange
Fruit season: Mid
Disease resistance/susceptibility: Low susceptibility
Parentage/origin: Sometimes attributed to M. × adstringens
Raiser/collector: R. Cleghorn, Quebec, Canada
Date of introduction: By 1833
General notes: A very old cultivar with particularly large flowers and attractive fruits. Can be affected by scab following wet springs.