Indian Magic Crabapple

Full bloom

Malus 'Indian Magic'

Rosaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced

Last updated

Quick Facts

Height
15-20 ft (J. Frank Schmidt: 15 ft; MSU E-2177: 15 ft; Gardenia.net: 20 ft; Missouri Botanical Garden: 15-20 ft) (source: J. Frank Schmidt Chart; MSU E-2177; Missouri Botanical Garden)
Spread
15-18 ft (J. Frank Schmidt: 15 ft; Gardenia.net: 15 ft; Missouri Botanical Garden: 15-18 ft) (source: J. Frank Schmidt Chart; Missouri Botanical Garden)
Growth Rate
Medium (typical malus growth rate; reaches mature size in 20-25 years) (source: hortguide regional interpretation based on size-at-age data)
Light
Full Sun (Best Flower Color Saturation And Fall Color Development; Partial Shade Reduces Both) (Source: Missouri Botanical Garden; Greenleaf Nursery)
Soil
Well Drained; Tolerates A Wide Range Of Soil Textures Provided Drainage Is Adequate (Source: Missouri Botanical Garden; Greenleaf Nursery)
Water
Moderate
Hardiness
Zone Zones 4–8 (J. Frank Schmidt Crabapple Chart; MSU E-2177; Greenleaf Nursery)
Bloom Time
Late April to mid-May (Puget Sound); mid-season blooming (source: HortGuide regional interpretation based on Morton Arboretum bloom timing)
Fall Color
Brilliant golden-orange (notable; among the most reliable fall-color displays of any common crabapple) (source: gardenia.net; missouri botanical garden)
Origin
Cultivar; introduced by Simpson Orchard Co. (later Simpson Nursery
Watch for this season
Cytospora CankerHigh

Spring Canker Activation

Diplodia CankerHigh

Infection Through Stressed or Wounded Tissue

Fire BlightHigh

Bloom Infection Window

RustHigh

Aecial Stage (Alternate Host)

+ 9 more — see full disease and pest lists below

Phenological Calendar

As of May 14, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1926.1 to 2121.1 GDD₃₂. Indian Magic Crabapple has passed full bloom (1305 GDD₃₂).

Regional Season Tracker

GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of May 14, 2026
Station GDD₃₂ Current Stage Next To Go
Issaquah / East King 2,121 Full bloom — —
Kent / Auburn 2,113 Full bloom — —
Seattle / UW 2,085 Full bloom — —
Olympia / Tumwater 2,047 Full bloom — —
Tacoma / Puyallup 2,016 Full bloom — —
Bellingham / Whatcom 1,994 Full bloom — —
Sequim / Rain Shadow 1,926 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)

Sources: HortGuide regional interpretation based on Morton Arboretum bloom timing ; thresholds estimated from genus-level OSU phenology catalog About GDD₃₂ →

Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of May 14, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through May 30, 2026, then climate normals.

Diseases: Regionally Documented (34)

Blueberry mosaic virus and related viruses Virus Diseases Venturia spp. — multiple host-specific species: V Scab Multiple obligate biotrophic fungi (Erysiphales: Erysipha... Powdery Mildew Phytophthora spp Phytophthora fruit rot Perennial Canker (Bull's-eye Rot) Nectria cinnabarina Nectria Twig Blight (Coral Spot) Nectria Canker (European Canker) Fruit russet Fruit Russeting Erwinia amylovora Fire Blight Cytospora spp. (Valsa spp., Leucostoma spp.) Cytospora Canker Rhizobium radiobacter (formerly Agrobacterium tumefaciens) Crown Gall Phytophthora cactorum (primary), P Crown and Collar Rot Burrknot Bitter Pit Apple mosaic Apple Mosaic Apple proliferation Apple Proliferation Apple dead Dead Spur Diplodia seriata and D Diplodia Canker Apple flat Flat Apple Disease Green Crinkle Disease Three viruses Latent Virus Diseases Several different Moldy Core and Core Rots Necrotic Leaf Blotch (Golden Leaf Drop) Isolation attempts Necrotic Leaf Spot Pythium spp., Phytophthora spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Fusari... Replant Disease Apple rubbery wood virus 1 and 2 Rubbery Wood and Flat Limb Multiple genera (Melampsoridium, Thekopsora, Naohidemyces... Rust Apple scar skin viroid Scar Skin and Dapple Apple Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium spp., and others; abiotic d... Storage Problems Tomato ringspot Union Necrosis and Decline Phytophthora syringae (primary), P Stem Rot Twig Dieback and Canker Xiphinema americanum and related species Nematode, Dagger Pratylenchus penetrans (primary) and P Nematode, Root-lesion

Pests: Regionally Documented (20)

'Indian Magic' offers strong multi-season ornamental value for Puget Sound landscapes — deep rose-pink to red flowers, brilliant golden-orange fall foliage, and exceptionally persistent fruit that holds into the following spring — but the scab susceptibility is a real regional caveat that tempers the recommendation. JFS rates scab 'Poor' (S/HS-equivalent) and MSU multi-state trials confirm meaningful scab pressure across PA, IL, and OH sites. Maritime PNW scab pressure is consistently high, so expect noticeable defoliation in cool wet spring years. The cultivar is still worth planting where (1) the late-fruit persistence is valuable for late-winter bird forage (robins, waxwings, thrushes rely on it heavily when most other crabapples have dropped fruit), or (2) the golden-orange fall color is a primary design goal. For comparable ornamental value with better scab resistance, 'Prairifire' is the stronger choice (deeper saturated flowers, excellent disease resistance, similar bronze-orange fall color). The 1/2-inch fruit size is larger than 'Adirondack' (3/8 inch) so sidewalk debris is more noticeable when fruit eventually drops in spring — factor into site selection near pedestrian zones. Bloom timing is mid-season (~220-290 GDD50), useful as a pollinizer companion to late-blooming cultivars like 'Adirondack'.

— Chris Welch, ISA Certified Arborist

Data Maturity
Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.