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Description
Malus Sun Rival, also known as the Sun Rival Crabapple, is a deciduous tree that belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is a hybrid tree that was developed in the United States by the University of Minnesota. This tree produces beautiful pink flowers in the spring and small red fruit in the fall. Its leaves are dark green, turning yellow in the fall.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukarya |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Genus | Malus |
Appearance
The Malus Sun Rival grows up to 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Its leaves are dark green, glossy, and oval-shaped. In the spring, it produces beautiful pink flowers that are followed by small red fruit in the fall. The fruit is about 1 inch in diameter and can persist on the tree well into winter. The bark of the tree is gray and smooth when young, but develops deep furrows and ridges as it ages.
Care Guide
The Malus Sun Rival prefers well-draining soil and full sun. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil types, but prefers slightly acidic soil. It requires regular watering during its first year of growth, but can tolerate drought once established. Fertilize the tree in the spring with a balanced fertilizer. The tree is hardy in zones 3 to 7.
Common Pests & Diseases
The Malus Sun Rival is susceptible to fire blight, apple scab, and cedar-apple rust. Fire blight is a bacterial disease that causes blackened leaves and twigs. Apple scab causes dark spots on the leaves and fruit. Cedar-apple rust causes yellow spots on the leaves and fruit. The tree may also be attacked by aphids, spider mites, and scale insects.
Habitat
The Malus Sun Rival is native to the United States and is commonly found in gardens, parks, and along streets. It is a hardy tree that can tolerate a wide range of soil types and growing conditions.
Question and Answer
Q: How tall does the Malus Sun Rival grow?
A: The Malus Sun Rival can grow up to 20 feet tall.
Q: What kind of fruit does the tree produce?
A: The tree produces small red fruit that is about 1 inch in diameter.
Q: What kind of soil does the tree prefer?
A: The Malus Sun Rival prefers well-draining soil that is slightly acidic.
Q: What is the tree’s hardiness zone?
A: The tree is hardy in zones 3 to 7.
Related Plants
- Malus Golden Hornet
- Malus Red Sentinel
- Malus Rudolph
- Malus Sugar Tyme
References
- “Malus Sun Rival.” Missouri Botanical Garden, www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=287335.
- “Malus ‘Sun Rival’.” Plant Finder, www.fossilcreeknursery.com/plant/malus-sun-rival/.
- “Sun Rival Crabapple.” Monrovia, www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/2852/sun-rival-crabapple/.
