Crabapple ‘Prairifire’

Closeup of crabapple 'Prairifire' flowers.

* Common name: Crabapple ‘Prairifire’

* Botanical name: Malus floribunda ‘Prairifire’

* What it is: A small, showy, drought-tough, bird-attracting, spring-blooming tree with magenta flower clusters in mid-spring, reddish-green leaves and pea-sized dark-red fruits in fall.

* Size: 18 feet tall, 16 feet wide

* Where to use: Good front-yard stand-alone specimen, small enough for a house corner or can be used to line a driveway or road. Best in full sun.

* Care: Prune off crossing or excess branches each winter or after bloom. Remove lowest branches as tree grows. Once established, no watering, spraying or fertilizing needed.

* Great partner: Short, white ‘Triumph’ tulips for same-time, color-coordinated bloom. Underplant with annual flowers for summer or with purple-leafed coralbells.

Fall fruits.

In full bloom.