Malus transitoria ‘Schmidtcutleaf’ GOLDEN RAINDROPS ™

cutleaf crabapple

  • © J.Frank Schmidt & Son Co.

Outstanding Qualities

Golden Raindrops™ has small twinkly white flowers produced in profusion and has the most distinctive fruit which is golden yellow burnished with slight tinge of red after a hard frost. The fruit is produced in staggering quantities and is almost more impressive in autumn than in spring. The foliage of Golden Raindrops™ is distinctive as well, it is finely divided and deep green giving the tree a delicate appearance. This tree is so attractive and disease resistant that it is being used in breeding to produce improved selections for the future. The form is elegant with slender limbs that spread horizontally from upright branches. A distinctive crabapple for the garden.

Quick Facts

Plant Type: tree

Foliage Type: deciduous

Plant Height (10-year): 10 ft. 0 in. (3.05 meters)

Plant Width/Spread (10-year): 8 ft. 0 in. (2.44 meters)

Plant Height-Mature: 20 ft. 0 in. (6.10 meters)

Plant Width-Mature: 15 ft. 0 in. (4.57 meters)

Hardiness: USDA Zones 4 to 8

Flower Color: white

Flowering Time: spring

Sun/Light Exposure: full sun

Water Requirements: drought tolerant once established

Wildlife Associations: birds

Culture Notes

This crabapple grows best and is most disease resistant in full sun. It will adapt to varying soils including sandy sites and clay as long as the location does not have standing water during the winter. Once established it is drought tolerant. This selection was chosen for its superior disease resistance in the maritime Pacific Northwest. Prune young trees for good branch structure. Older trees should have limited pruning only to remove dead, broken or poorly formed branches. Pruning this tree can be tricky for the beginner so consult an experienced pruner or take local classes before attempting to prune.