Malus Coral Cascade

Abstract

Named for its graceful, semi-weeping habit and persistant coral-orange fruit, Malus cultivar `Coral Cascade` offers a unique fall display among crabapple cultivars with a weeping habit. The abundant load of large pea-sized ornamental fruit causes its slender horizontal branches to droop in a cascade of reddish-orange color. Its annual fruit production results in a permanent downward arching of the branches as the plant ages. This crabapples small stature (15' tall×20' wide in 30 years) makes it desirable for use in prominant landscape locations, elevated planters, and beneath power lines. The spring flower display starts with pinkish-red buds on pendulous pedicels of about 1.5" (4 cm) in length. The abundant flowers open white with the abaxial edges of the petals remaining pink. `Coral Cascade` has an established record of disease resistance. Its thick, green leaves retain their high quality until fall frosts transform them to golden hues of yellow, orange and tan.

I claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinctive variety of flowering crabapple tree, as described and illustrated, a clone which is especially distinctive because of its wide-spreading, cascading habit of growth, especially when loaded with fruit in the Fall; an extremely profuse and striking annual display of persistant, small, glossy fruit of an unusual and uncommon coral-orange coloration; as well as being easily propagated vegetatively and coming true to the original selection, fairly rapid growing and apparently free from diseases which normally affect flowering crabapples.