Thunderchild Flowering Crab is draped in stunning clusters of fragrant lavender flowers with pink overtones along the branches in mid spring, which emerge from distinctive rose flower buds before the leaves. It has attractive deep purple foliage throughout the season that turn an outstanding dark red in the fall. The fruits are showy ruby-red pomes carried in abundance from early to mid fall, which can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways. The rough brown bark is not particularly outstanding.
This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed.
Thunderchild Flowering Crab will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.
This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments.