Crabapple (MALUS 'PERFECT PURPLE') - 'Perfect Purple'
‘Perfect Purple’ crabapple was developed by Ernie Copp in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. It has glossy, deep purple foliage that follows gorgeous deep-pink blossoms in spring. Summertime finds 'Perfect Purple' adorned by 1/2" purple-red fruit that persists on the tree for birds to eat. Uniform, consistent, somewhat upright growth habit and branching. Purple foliage maintains its color through fall. This very cold hardy crab has performed well in the North and Intermountain regions. Demonstrates good resistance to scab.
This particular crabapple is larger than others reaching a mature height of around 25’ tall and spread of around 20’ wide. Cold hardy in USDA Hardiness Zone 3, 'Perfect Purple' is best grown in medium moisture, well-drained, acidic loams in full sun but will adapt to a wide range of soil conditions and pH. Drought tolerant once established. Highly tolerant of urban conditions. Highly adaptable to soil type or pH, but requires full sun and well-drained soil without standing water. After planting, and until established, this tree should be irrigated consistently to keep the soil conditions average to moist. Select a planting site with well-drained soil. Like most crabapples, occasional pruning and maintenance is required. Suckers should be removed if they develop in summer, but pruning should be done in late winter after the threat of extreme cold has passed to remove damaged, diseased, or misplaced growth.