Crabapple — Gladiator
Malus 'Gladiator'
Crabapple — Gladiator (Malus 'Gladiator') is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 15–25 ft tall and 6–9 ft wide, and needs low to medium water. Columnar form; purple leaf.
low to medium water15–25 ft tall and 6–9 ft wideXeric / water-wiseToxic to dogs
Photos
At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended for Most Sites
- Botanical name
- Malus 'Gladiator'
- Variety / cultivar
- Gladiator
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 15–25 ft tall and 6–9 ft wide
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom color
- pink
- Bloom time
- mid spring, late spring
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold Hardiness
Planting & establishment
Water deeply every 7–10 days through the first 2 summers. Winter water 1–2×/month October–March when soil is dry and unfrozen — winter desiccation is a top killer of newly-planted trees. Year 3: taper to 2×/month in summer, then rely on natural precipitation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Crabapple — Gladiator good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Crabapple — Gladiator is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a tree suited to Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Crabapple — Gladiator get?
- It matures to about 15–25 ft tall and 6–9 ft wide.
- How much water does Crabapple — Gladiator need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Crabapple — Gladiator safe for dogs?
- No — Crabapple — Gladiator is considered toxic to dogs. Keep pets away and check with your vet.
