Crabapple, 'Profusion' (Malus × moerlandsii 'Profusion') ‘Profusion’ Crabapple is a highly ornamental cultivar known for its deep rose-red blossoms, purple-tinged foliage, and small, persistent fruit. Originally bred for beauty and adaptability, it also supports a wide range of native pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects. With a broad, spreading canopy and year-round interest, 'Profusion' is an excellent choice for hedgerows, pollinator gardens, edible landscapes, and as a companion tree in fruit guilds where biodiversity is a priority. Key Characteristics Abundant, Long-Lasting Rose-Red FlowersIn mid-spring, 'Profusion' lives up to its name with a dense canopy of striking, rose-red blooms that cover the branches. These flowers are rich in nectar and highly attractive to native bees, hoverflies, and early butterflies. Small Fruits for Birds and Seasonal InterestFollowing flowering, the tree produces small red-purple fruits that persist into winter. While not typically consumed by humans, these fruits provide valuable food for birds like cedar waxwings, robins, and chickadees, especially in late fall. Purple-Tinged Foliage and Fall ColorEmerging foliage has a reddish-purple hue that matures into bronze-green, offering unique texture and contrast in the landscape. In autumn, the tree transitions into warm tones of orange and red, enhancing seasonal interest. Excellent Wildlife Support and Pollinator Habitat'Profusion' supports native insects through both nectar and as a host plant, contributing to ecological balance in managed orchards and home landscapes. Its dense branching structure also offers nesting and cover for birds and small mammals. Great for Hedgerows, Companion Plantings, and Orchard EdgesWith a rounded form and manageable size, 'Profusion' integrates beautifully into hedgerows, pollinator corridors, or as an ornamental buffer at the edge of orchards and food forests. It’s well-suited to regenerative design that values both beauty and biodiversity. Product Details Sun Requirements: Full sun Soil Requirements: Medium Bloom Time: April–May Bloom Color: Rose-red Fruit Qualities: Small, red-purple, persistent Fruit Uses: Wildlife food, ornamental Fruit Ripening Month: Late summer to fall Required Chill Hours: Approx. 700 hours Pollination Requirements: Not self-fruitful; used ornamentally or to support pollination USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–8 Mature Height: 15–20 feet ‘Profusion’ Crabapple offers a stunning display of color, habitat value, and pollinator support all in one hardy, manageable tree. A beautiful and functional addition to any orchard edge, hedgerow, or regenerative planting.
