Robinson Crabapple

The variety ‘Robinson’ originated at an old family nursery in Indianapolis, Indiana. The nursery was founded by Benjamin Albertson in 1812. Cyrus May Hobbs, who took over in 1879 gave the nursery his name – C.M. Hobbs Inc. The nursery still operates today, and ‘Robinson’ was created there in the 1980s. It soon became popular and desirable for its combination of great colors and disease resistance. The Robinson Crabapple is a deciduous tree whose crimson buds open to beautiful red-pink flowers in early spring. With its beautiful flowers and attractive form, the Robinson Crabapple serves as a startling specimen tree. The Robinson Crab Apple is a superb choice for a small spring-flowering tree in colder parts of the country. It grows into a small tree, 15 to 25 feet tall, and a similar width, with a rounded crown. The young spring leaves are a rich purple, emerging just as the flowers fade. They change for the summer into deep green, and then turn orange in the fall. The ripe fruits can be picked and turned into aromatic and delicious jelly, which will be a beautiful pink color from the skins. This beautiful jam keeps for months and you can enjoy it for breakfast in the depths of winter, bringing back memories of your tree in bloom, and thoughts of the coming season.