Common Name:
Tom Matthews Crab Apple
Description:
Malus ‘Tom Matthews’ is an attractive deciduous ornamental crab apple tree valued for its abundant spring flowering, colourful fruit display, and reliable growth habit. This elegant small tree produces masses of fragrant soft pink to white blossoms in spring, creating a spectacular floral display that attracts bees and beneficial pollinators. The lush green foliage provides fresh seasonal colour through spring and summer before developing warm golden and orange tones in autumn. Following flowering, clusters of ornamental red crab apples develop and persist well into the cooler months, adding seasonal interest and attracting birds to the garden. ‘Tom Matthews’ performs exceptionally well in Melbourne’s temperate climate, thriving in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and regular watering during establishment. Its balanced growth habit and multi-season ornamental appeal make it ideal for feature planting, avenue planting, cottage gardens, and larger residential landscapes. With good disease resistance and reliable flowering, it is an excellent low-maintenance ornamental tree for a wide range of garden styles.
Form:
Mature Size:
- Height: 4–6 m
- Width: 3–5 m
Aspect:
Flowering:
Flower Colour:
Key Attributes:
- Bee Attracting
- Bird Attracting
- Deciduous
- Feature Tree
- Perennial
- Suitable for Avenue Planting
- Suitable for Cottage Gardens
- Suitable for Small Gardens
Toxicity:
- Fruit is generally considered non-toxic, though excessive consumption may cause mild digestive upset.
- Seeds contain trace cyanogenic compounds and should not be consumed in large quantities.
Companion Plants:
- Clivia
- Helleborus
- Lavender
- Liriope
- Nandina
- Salvia
- Spiraea
- Viburnum
- Woodland ferns
This cultivar is grown by Flemings Nurseries, one of Australia's most renowned growers.
Image used with permission from Fleming’s Nurseries.
For more information on this particular variety, click here
