Prairifire Flowering Crabapple (Malus 'Prairifire')
MAY-lus 'Prairifire'

Deciduous Perennial Tree in the Rosaceae Family

About Apples & Crabapples

Malus is a genus of roughly 30-55 species of small to medium deciduous trees and shrubs in the rose family, native across the Northern Hemisphere and including both edible apples (Malus domestica) and the many ornamental flowering crabapples grown for their spring bloom and persistent fall or winter fruit. Most species bear clusters of five-petaled flowers in white, pink, or red in spring, followed by small pome fruit that ranges from decorative to edible depending on the species and cultivar. Ornamental crabapples are widely planted street and landscape trees valued for disease-resistant modern cultivars, four-season interest, and wildlife value -- their fruit persists into winter and is an important late-season food source for birds.

Pros

  • Spring flowers in white, pink, or red attract pollinators
  • Persistent fall and winter fruit is a valuable food source for birds
  • Many modern cultivars bred for strong disease resistance
  • Wide range of mature sizes to fit almost any landscape

Cons

  • Older cultivars and species can be prone to apple scab, fire blight, cedar-apple rust, or powdery mildew
  • Fallen fruit can be messy on paved surfaces if not cleaned up
  • Seeds, stems, and wilting leaves are toxic if eaten in quantity
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 15 - 20 feet tall. 15 - 20 feet wide.
Sun Exposure Full Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Adaptable, Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Deciduous, Disease Resistant, Flowering Tree, Formal Garden, Fruit showy, Full Sun, Full Sun, Good for Accents, Good for Asian Garden, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cottage Garden, Low Maintenance, Medium, Medium, Native to North America, Normal Soil, Ornamental Tree, Perennial, Showy Flowers, Street Tree, Tolerant of Loamy Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Sandy Soil, Tree, Well-Drained Soil, Winter Interest, Woodland Garden
Bloom Period April to May
Flower Color Deep Pinkish Red
 

More Info from Experts

Photos of This with...

Inland Serviceberry, Evangeline Hyacinth Lilac
 
Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

Click a label to toggle visibility for that size


© North Shore Plant Club 2026. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions.

Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


Benefits of Membership

Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:

  • The best plants… from the same sources the pros use, but at near wholesale prices
  • More plants in more sizes than anywhere else… whether you’re looking for classics or rarities; annuals, perennials or shrubs; one plant or a whole yardful!
  • "No Contact" delivery or easy pick-up at a site near you without fighting the retail crowds. You choose!

Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.

Already a member?
Login
About Ordering From The Plant Club

To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.

Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!


No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!