Adams Crabapple

Full bloom

Malus 'Adams'

Rosaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced

Last updated

Quick Facts

Height
20 ft (J. Frank Schmidt Crabapple Chart; Missouri Botanical Garden)
Spread
20 ft (J. Frank Schmidt Crabapple Chart; characteristic rounded form with equal height and spread)
Growth Rate
Medium (typical malus growth rate; reaches mature size in 20-25 years)
Light
Full Sun (Best Flower Production And Disease Resistance) (Source: Missouri Botanical Garden)
Soil
Well Drained; Tolerates A Wide Range Of Soil Textures (Source: Missouri Botanical Garden)
Water
Moderate
Hardiness
Zone Zones 4–8 (J. Frank Schmidt Crabapple Chart; Missouri Botanical Garden)
Bloom Time
Late April to mid-May (Puget Sound); mid-season blooming (source: HortGuide regional interpretation based on Morton Arboretum bloom timing)
Fall Color
Yellow-bronze; not a primary ornamental feature (source: hortguide editorial based on malus genus characteristics)
Origin
Cultivar; chance seedling discovered at Adams Nursery
Watch for this season
Fire BlightHigh

Bloom Infection Window

Powdery MildewModerate

Spring Emergence / Primary Infection

Codling mothModerate

Pupation

Phenological Calendar

As of May 13, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1906.2 to 2098.2 GDD₃₂. Adams Crabapple has passed full bloom (1305 GDD₃₂).

Regional Season Tracker

GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of May 13, 2026
Station GDD₃₂ Current Stage Next To Go
Issaquah / East King 2,098 Full bloom — —
Kent / Auburn 2,089 Full bloom — —
Seattle / UW 2,063 Full bloom — —
Olympia / Tumwater 2,025 Full bloom — —
Tacoma / Puyallup 1,993 Full bloom — —
Bellingham / Whatcom 1,972 Full bloom — —
Sequim / Rain Shadow 1,906 Full bloom — —
Stage GDD32 Typical Window
Beginning of flowering BBCH 61 990 Late April (Puget Sound); mid-season blooming
● Full bloom BBCH 65 NOW 1305 Late April to early May (Puget Sound)

Source: HortGuide regional interpretation based on Morton Arboretum bloom timing About GDD₃₂ →

Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of May 13, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through May 29, 2026, then climate normals.

Diseases: Regionally Documented (3)

Diseases: Other Associations (1)

Pests: Regionally Documented (3)

Adams Crabapple is a reliable mid-tier choice for Puget Sound landscapes with a 75+ year commercial track record — one of the longer-established named crabapples still actively planted today. The combination of symmetrical rounded form, deep pink flowers from red buds, persistent dark red fruit, and balanced disease profile (excellent fire blight and rust, good scab and mildew per JFS) makes Adams a defensible default when a designer wants pink flowers in a 20 × 20 ft rounded specimen without paying premium prices for trademark cultivars. Beyond its own landscape value, Adams holds historical significance in modern crabapple breeding — it was used by Dr. Daniel Dayton at the University of Illinois as a parent in the cross that produced 'Prairifire' (Malus × adams 'Adams' × Malus 'Liset'). PNW homeowners interested in the cultivar's pedigree will appreciate the connection. Scab resistance is rated Good (not Excellent) — meaningful in maritime PNW where high scab pressure produces noticeable defoliation in cool wet years on moderately resistant cultivars. For homeowners prioritizing absolute scab resistance, Prairifire (Adams's offspring) is the upgrade path. For traditional symmetrical pink-flowered crabapple aesthetic with proven performance, Adams remains a sensible pick.

— Chris Welch, ISA Certified Arborist

Data Maturity
Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.