Flowering crabapple (Malus 'Sutyzam' SUGAR TYME)
Malus 'Sutyzam' SUGAR TYME is a low-maintenance Flowering crabapple tree, offering showy white blooms and persistent red fruit in USDA Zones 4-8.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Malus ‘Sutyzam’ SUGAR TYME is a highly attractive, upright, oval deciduous tree valued for its spring floral display and persistent winter fruit. As a selection within the genus Malus (Flowering crabapple), it provides excellent four-season interest in the landscape. Gardeners appreciate this cultivar for its pleasing structure and relatively low maintenance requirements.
This specimen typically achieves a mature height of 14 to 18 feet, making it an ideal size for accent planting or defining smaller spaces. Early in the season, the Malus ‘Sutyzam’ SUGAR TYME produces pale pink buds that open into fragrant, single white flowers, setting the stage for its subsequent display of small, glossy red crabapples.
Its adaptability and robust nature make the Flowering crabapple a reliable choice for varied environments. The persistent fruit is a significant benefit, remaining on the branches well into the colder months, often attracting winter birds when other food sources are scarce.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Tree
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 14-18 ft
- Spread: 11-15 ft
- Bloom Time: April
- Bloom Description: Pale pink buds; white flowers
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal health, plant your Malus ‘Sutyzam’ SUGAR TYME in the late fall or early spring, ensuring it receives full sun exposure throughout the day. This Flowering crabapple thrives best when sited in medium-moisture, well-drained, acidic loams, although it shows versatility and adapts to a broad spectrum of soil types. Good drainage is crucial for root health.
Once established, this tree exhibits some drought tolerance, but consistent medium watering is recommended, especially during prolonged dry spells. Fertilization is rarely necessary if the soil conditions are appropriate; focus instead on building healthy organic matter around the root zone.
Pruning is best managed in the late winter while the plant is fully dormant. Avoid spring pruning entirely, as fresh cuts create inviting entry points for the fireblight bacterium. While this Sugar Tyme variety generally boasts good resistance, preventative pruning limits potential disease exposure.
Landscape Uses
The structural form and seasonal color shifts of the Malus ‘Sutyzam’ SUGAR TYME make it a superb choice for use as a specimen or accent tree in medium-sized yards or entryways. Its upright, oval habit requires less aggressive widening than some crabapple relatives, fitting neatly into tighter areas.
It is highly recommended for planting in small groups for a more substantial visual impact, or as an architectural focal point against light-colored buildings. Consider pairing the early spring white blossoms with later-blooming shrubs or perennials to extend the garden’s color palette through the season, benefiting from its low general landscape maintenance needs.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Malus is a genus of about 35 species of deciduous trees and shrubs native to Europe, Asia, and North America. The genus name originates from the ancient Latin name for apple. Specifically, ‘Sutyzam’ SUGAR TYME is characterized as an upright, oval tree, growing between 14 and 18 feet tall. Its visual appeal includes fragrant, single white flowers opening from pale pink buds, followed by masses of small, glossy red crabapples that persist late into winter, attracting birds.
Tolerances
- Air Pollution
Potential Problems
The main concerns for most crabapples involve fungal foliar diseases like scab, rusts, leaf spot, and powdery mildew, alongside the serious bacterial affliction, fire blight. While the Malus ‘Sutyzam’ SUGAR TYME demonstrates excellent disease resistance, it retains slight susceptibility to apple scab, leaf spot, powdery mildew, and fire blight. Keep air circulation adequate and avoid late-season fertilization, which can promote tender, susceptible new growth.
Insect pests, though generally a lesser concern, might include scale, borers, aphids, and Japanese beetles. Monitor closely, and if necessary, hand-pick pests or use targeted horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps appropriate for crabapples. Treating the tree only when necessary keeps the maintenance level low.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Flowering crabapple suitable for?
The Malus ‘Sutyzam’ SUGAR TYME Flowering crabapple is highly resilient, reliably thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8.
How large does Malus ‘Sutyzam’ SUGAR TYME grow?
This cultivar generally reaches a height between 14 and 18 feet, with a mature spread ranging from 11 to 15 feet wide, maintaining a distinct oval shape.
What sun exposure does Malus ‘Sutyzam’ SUGAR TYME need?
For best flowering and overall health, this tree requires full sun conditions.
When does Flowering crabapple bloom?
The bloom time for the Malus ‘Sutyzam’ SUGAR TYME is in April, featuring striking white flowers emerging from pale pink buds.
Conclusion
The Malus ‘Sutyzam’ SUGAR TYME Flowering crabapple offers undeniable garden value through its fragrant spring blooms and persistent, persistent red fruit, all while requiring low maintenance. Integrating this reliable specimen into your landscape design ensures seasonal interest without demanding constant attention. Before planting, confirm that your location falls within USDA Zones 4-8 and plan for late winter pruning to maximize the benefits of this excellent cultivar.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate neighbors can enhance the aesthetic appeal and ecological balance around your Flowering crabapple. Since Malus ‘Sutyzam’ SUGAR TYME prefers well-drained, acidic soil, consider companion plantings that share these preferences, such as rhododendrons, azaleas, or blueberries situated slightly away from the main drip line. These companions benefit from the dappled light the tree might offer during the hottest part of the summer afternoon.
For color contrast against the pale pink buds and white springtime flowers, plant contrasting spring bulbs like deep purple crocuses or late-spring peonies nearby. As the tree is relatively compact (11-15 ft spread), smaller understory shrubs that do not compete aggressively for root space are ideal companions for beds surrounding the base.
Wildlife Benefits
The fruit display of the Malus ‘Sutyzam’ SUGAR TYME is a significant asset to local wildlife, particularly during the usually sparse months of late autumn and winter. The small, glossy red crabapples serve as an important food source, attracting various species of songbirds when other sustenance is difficult to locate.
While the blossoms are fragrant and attractive, they also play a role in supporting early-season pollinators. Ensure the tree receives full sun, as robust flowering directly translates to better nectar and pollen availability for bees and other beneficial insects emerging in early spring.
