Gladiator Crabapple
Full bloomMalus × adstringens 'Durleo'
Rosaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced
Last updated
Quick Facts
Bloom Infection Window
Spring Emergence / Primary Infection
Pupation
Phenological Calendar
As of May 13, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1906.2 to 2098.2 GDD₃₂. Gladiator 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) |
| ● 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)
Gladiator™ is the cold-hardiest purple-foliaged crabapple in commerce (USDA Zone 2) — extreme cold tolerance is largely surplus to need in maritime PNW (Zone 8b) but the cultivar's narrow oval form (20 × 10 ft), bronze-purple foliage, and bright pink flowers make it a competitive choice for vertical purple-foliage plantings regardless of the cold-hardiness factor. For Cascade-foothill sites above 1,500 ft elevation or sites with documented Zone 6-7 cold events, Gladiator's hardiness becomes relevant. Disease resistance rated Excellent across all four major diseases per JFS supports reliable performance. Cross-reference for narrow vertical purple- foliage selection: 'Raspberry Spear®' (20 × 8 ft, narrower; deeper purple foliage; magenta pink flowers) is the JFS Spear™ family alternative in this category. Cross-reference with 'Raspberry Spear®' (similar narrow vertical purple form, slightly narrower at 8 ft spread).
— Chris Welch, ISA Certified Arborist