Raspberry Spear Crabapple
Full bloomMalus 'JFS KW213MX'
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. Raspberry Spear 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)
Raspberry Spear® is the purple-foliage member of J. Frank Schmidt's Spear™ family — combining the family's signature narrow columnar form (8 ft spread) with deep purple foliage and magenta pink flowers. For PNW landscapes wanting purple foliage in a narrow columnar form, Raspberry Spear has no direct competitor in commerce. Disease resistance is rated Excellent across all four major diseases per JFS — substantially better than older purple-foliage cultivars like 'Perfect Purple' (Fair scab, Fair fire blight). The orange fall color is uncommon among purple-foliage crabapples and adds genuine fall interest. Cross-reference with broader-form purple alternatives: 'Purple Prince' (20 × 20 ft rounded form, similar disease resistance) or 'Royal Raindrops®' (15-20 ft cutleaf foliage). Choose Raspberry Spear when narrow vertical form is required; choose Purple Prince for full rounded specimen scale; choose Royal Raindrops for finer cutleaf foliage texture. Cross-reference with 'Purple Prince' (rounded 20 × 20 ft purple alternative) and 'Royal Raindrops®' (cutleaf purple alternative).
— Chris Welch, ISA Certified Arborist