Trees

Malus 'Purple Prince'

Purple Prince crabapple

Purple Prince crabapple photographed by Emőke Dénes; 0.

Purple Prince is a rounded crabapple with rose-red spring flowers and foliage that opens purple before becoming bronze-green. Small maroon fruits provide a later-season feature. The cultivar is selected for a useful combination of colorful leaves, vigorous growth and disease performance, making it an attractive ornamental tree for an open planting.

At a glance

Sun: Full sun
Size: Height: 20 ft · Width: 20 ft
Water: Moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness: USDA 4
Bloom: Rose-red, spring

Sizes & prices

#15Crabapple, purple leafed and heavy pink blooming$189.99

Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.

Ask about this plant

Select a section to expand.

Landscape use & tree form

Use: Ornamental flowering specimen
Form: Rounded
Fruit / litter: Maroon crabapples, about ⅜–½ inch
Major issues: Apple scab, fire blight, rust and powdery mildew vary greatly by cultivar.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast

Resistance & tolerances

Deer: Crabapples can sustain substantial browsing; protect young plants.
Drought: Dry-weather care: Moist, well-drained soil. Maintain the recommended moisture during extended dry spells; no cultivar-specific drought rating confirmed.
Wet soil: Requires good drainage; avoid continuously soggy ground.
Disease: Supplier rates scab and cedar-apple rust resistance excellent, fireblight and mildew good.

Resistance is not a guarantee; deer and rabbits may browse any plant.

Pollinators & wildlife

Flower resources: Pollen and nectar
Birds: Fruit provides food

Seasonal interest

Foliage: Purple young leaves mature to bronze-green; deciduous.

Growing & care

Pruning: Prune during dormancy to improve branch spacing and air movement; remove suckers and water sprouts. Avoid pruning during active fire-blight conditions.
Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil; allow good air circulation.

Sources & photo credits

J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.

University of Minnesota Extension

J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.

moonnurseries.com

Rutgers Cooperative Extension

kankakeenursery.com

Photo: Emőke Dénes · CC BY-SA 4.0

Image notes: Purple Prince crabapple photographed by Emőke Dénes; resized from the original under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Reviewed September 22, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.