Cherry Blossom Trees vs Apple Blossom Trees | Which Is Right for Your Garden?
- Kerri Cuthbert
- Jul 2
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 25
Table of Contents
Crab apple blossom trees vs cherry blossom trees: both grace UK gardens with springtime splendour — but they offer different benefits, maintenance needs, and year-round interest. Whether you’re designing a wildlife-friendly haven or seeking the ultimate spring showstopper, this guide will help you decide which tree fits your space, aesthetic, and garden goals.
What’s the Difference?
Best Known For: Spectacular spring blossom in shades of pink or white
Foliage: Often offers rich autumn colour
Fruit: Ornamental cherries produce little to no edible fruit
Wildlife Value: Depends on blossom type – single flowers attract more pollinators
Popular Varieties: ‘Kanzan’, ‘Shogetsu’, ‘Amanogawa’, ‘The Bride’
Best Known For: Blossom in spring and jewel-like fruits in autumn
Foliage: Some varieties offer autumn colour
Fruit: Abundant small fruits, often edible when cooked (ideal for jellies)
Wildlife Value: High – blossom for pollinators, fruit for birds
Popular Varieties: ‘Evereste’, ‘John Downie’, ‘Golden Hornet’, ‘Red Sentinel’
Comparing Key Features
Feature | Cherry Trees | Crab Apple Trees |
|---|---|---|
Spring Blossom | Abundant, showy, often double | Single/semi-double, bee-friendly |
Autumn Colour | Many have bronze/red foliage | Some yellow/orange tones |
Fruit | Minimal or small, not edible | Small apples, ideal for wildlife |
Pollinator Friendly | Best with single flowers | Very high value |
Size Range | 2m–10m depending on cultivar | 3m–8m average |
Pruning Needs | Light formative pruning | Generally low-maintenance |
Which Is Easier to Grow?
Soil: Both prefer well-drained, moderately fertile soils
Sunlight: Full sun is ideal for the best blossom and fruit
Maintenance: Neither tree is particularly demanding, though ornamental cherries may need more shaping in youth
Lifespan: Crab apples tend to live longer and are hardier across a wider range of UK conditions
If you live in a colder or coastal area, crabapples may be a better choice for resilience.
Expert Insight: While double-blossom cherry trees like ‘Kanzan’ are prized for impact, they offer little pollen for bees. Crab apples combine pollen-rich blossom with fruit for birds—making them a top choice for eco-conscious gardeners.
Aesthetic vs Practical Value
Choose a cherry tree if you want:
A dramatic burst of early spring colour
A sculptural specimen tree for feature planting
Subtle scent and ornamental structure
Choose a crab apple tree if you prefer:
Wildlife support across seasons (blossom + fruit)
Edible uses (e.g., crabapple jelly)
More subtle, naturalistic beauty
Some gardeners even plant both — using cherries for structure and blossom, and crabapples for extended colour and ecological value.
Top Tip: Planting both cherry and crab apple trees together creates layered spring colour and supports a wider range of wildlife from early blossom to late-winter fruit.
Notable Varieties to Consider
Cherry Blossom Trees
Prunus ‘Kanzan’: Bold pink double flowers, autumn bronze foliage
Prunus ‘The Bride’: Compact, single white flowers, excellent for pots
Prunus ‘Shogetsu’: Frilled white flowers, great for mid-size lawns
Did You Know? Many ornamental cherry trees like ‘Shogetsu’ offer subtle spring fragrance, while crab apples fill the autumn air with cider-sweet fruit aromas.
Crab Apple Blossom Trees
Malus ‘Evereste’: Masses of white flowers, orange-red fruit
Malus ‘John Downie’: Excellent for jelly-making, good blossom
Malus ‘Red Sentinel’: Compact habit, bright red, persistent fruit
Expert Insight: For coastal or exposed gardens, crab apples tend to be more resilient to salt and wind than cherries. That said, tough ornamental types like ‘Snow Goose’ or ‘Tai-haku’ can also perform well with shelter.
Cherry Blossom Trees vs Apple Blossom Trees
Cherry and crab apple trees each bring unique charm and value to a garden. If spring blossom is your main goal, cherry trees like ‘Amanogawa’ or ‘Shirotae’ offer architectural flair. For year-round wildlife support and fruiting colour, crab apples like ‘John Downie’ are hard to beat.
Still not sure which is best? Browse all flowering trees by size, blossom colour, and wildlife value at Bowhayes Trees.
For additional reading, explore the Kew Gardens plant database for Prunus and Malus trees →.
FAQs
Are crab apples better for wildlife than cherry trees?
Yes. While single-flowered cherries provide early nectar, crab apples offer both blossom and fruit, making them a more complete habitat tree.
Can I eat the fruit from a crab apple tree?
Yes, most are too sour raw but perfect for jellies, chutneys or cider blends.
Do ornamental cherry trees bear edible cherries?
No. Ornamental types are bred for flowers and shape, not fruit. The fruit is usually small and bitter.
Which tree needs less pruning?
Both are low-maintenance. Cherry trees benefit from light pruning in summer; crab apples usually need less shaping overall.
Can I plant both in the same garden?
Absolutely! Cherry and crab apple trees can complement each other beautifully in the same garden. Both offer stunning spring blossoms, but with different flower forms, colours, and timing, helping to extend seasonal interest. Crab apples also provide autumn fruit for birds and wildlife, while many ornamental cherries add vivid autumn foliage. Just ensure each tree has enough space to develop its natural shape, and plant in full sun with well-drained soil for best results.
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