Sparkling Sprite Crabapple
Full bloomMalus 'JFS-KW207'
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. Sparkling Sprite 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)
Sparkling Sprite® occupies a useful intermediate size in the compact top-grafted dwarf category — 12 × 12 ft mature size falls between 'Lollipop®' (8-10 ft) and 'Coralburst®' (15 × 15 ft). The cultivar's strengths are outstanding clean bright green summer foliage (cleaner than most crabapples), excellent disease resistance across all four major diseases per JFS, and abundant tiny golden- orange persistent fruit. For PNW landscapes wanting a compact dwarf crabapple slightly larger than Lollipop but still suitable for residential courtyards, entry plantings, and tight commercial installations, Sparkling Sprite fits the bill. Cross-reference with other top-grafted compact dwarfs: 'Sargent Tina' (5-6 ft, smallest), 'Lollipop®' (8-10 ft), 'Sparkling Sprite' (12 ft), 'Coralburst®' (15 ft). Sourcing through JFS wholesale and design-grade nurseries. Cross-reference dwarf top-graft decision tree: 'Sargent Tina' (5-6 ft) → 'Lollipop' (8-10 ft) → 'Sparkling Sprite' (12 ft) → 'Coralburst' (15 ft).
— Chris Welch, ISA Certified Arborist