About the Malus Hopa Crabapple Tree
Hopa is a hybrid crabapple useful for ornamental and edible purposes. Some say it is an heirloom being that it has been around long enough.
“Hopa” in the native Sioux language means beautiful, and beautiful it is.
It averages 10 -20 feet but can reach 20 to 25 feet in height. It can be maintained at a more manageable height with proper pruning. It produces aesthetically appealing blushes of pink flowers and delectable deep red fruits in early Autumn.
The fruit is delicious fresh or in preserves.
It also produces vivid fall foliage as its dark green leaves turn a vibrant Freckled yellow, red-orange. These apples can be eaten fresh but work even better in preserves.
Related: Types of Crabapple Trees
Growing Malus Hopa Crabapple Trees
Unlike most fruit trees these are more commonly sold on their own rootstock as opposed to being grafted. These are also long-living trees, under the best of conditions they will survive well over a century, sometimes only 50 years or so.
This variety is self-pollinating, but proximity to other varieties is still helpful.
- Hardy in zones 4 to 8 marginal in zone 3.
- Cold hardy variety, down to 15 0 F.
- Mature Height 10 – 25 ft.
- Mature Spread 10 – 25 ft.
- Soil Type Well-drained soil clay/sand.
- Sun Exposure Full Sun is best – Partial sun is tolerable.
- Growth Rate Medium.
- BloomTime Mid to Late Spring.
- Fruiting Time 2 – 4 years.
- Fruit Color: Red-Orangish.
- Fruit ripens from August to early September.
- Fruit Taste Tart, tangy. No bitterness if allowed to ripen. Some describe a nut-like punch.
- Self Pollinating
- Being an older variety it is more susceptible to disease and insects than young whippersnapper hybrids.
- Resistant to Verticillium.
- Tolerances: deer, rabbits
- Insect Susceptibility to Aphids, Beetle Borers, Fruit worms and Caterpillars, Scales and Spider Mites.
- Disease Susceptibility Armillaria, Canker, Crown Rot, Fire Blight, Powdery Mildew, Rust, Scab, and Sooty Mold from aphids and other insects.