Malus 'Donald Wyman' - Flowering Crab

Donald Wyman flowering crab tree The Donald Wyman flowering crab (Malus sp. 'Donald Wyman') is named for the late Dr. Donald Wyman, horticulturist for Harvard's Arnold Arboretum from 1936 to 1969. A chance seedling found on the grounds of the arboretum is the source for this "cultivar", and was so named in 1970.

This tree tends to maintain a rounded growth habit, and most often grows a bit wider than it does tall, with a mature height of 18-22' and similar mature width. This tree flowers in early spring, and as pictured, buds begin as an almost crimson red, and as they open fade to pure white. The flowers give way to bright red fruit that are roughly 3/8" in diameter and persistent through the winter (providing some nice winter interest). Spring and summer foliage is green, turning amber/yellow in autumn. It's hardy from USDA Zone 4 through 7b/8a, and has an average growth rate.

Candymint Sargent bloom The Donald Wyman crab tree prefers full exposure to sun and moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soils, but what plant doesn't? This tree has been reported to have performed well in urban settings with compacted soils, and performs well in this author's area, where clay soils abound. Once established it is drought tolerant and somewhat tolerant of salt spray. It's also tolerant of more moist conditions. Candymint Sargent fruit and summer foliage This Malus cultivar has been named by many sources as one being very resistant to common crabapple diseases, such as rust, fire blight and powdery mildew. It also has won several awards, including:

1989 Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal Plant
2001 Cary Award
2001 Theodore Klein Plant Award

Other flowering crabapple trees you might enjoy:

Malus x 'Sentinel' - Sentinel Flowering Crab - A much more vertical growth habit, with blooms that fade to a light pinkish-white
Malus x 'Sugar Tyme' - Flowering Crabapple - This flowering tree grows a bit taller than it does wide, with white blooms similar to 'Donald Wyman'