Thunderchild Flowering Crab vs Diablo Ninebark - TreeTime.ca

Thunderchild Flowering Crab vs Diablo Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius Diablo

Malus x adstringens Thunderchild

Diablo Ninebark
Thunderchild Flowering Crab

Diablo Ninebark is a small, low maintenance, multi-stemmed shrub, that is used to add texture or color to any yard. This plant grows dark purple leaves in the spring and grows slightly faster than Common Ninebark. It features flaky red to brown bark, clusters of white flowers, and long, maple-like leaves. Diablo Ninebark can make a dense and colorful hedge, or it can be an attractive ornamental by itself.

Thunderchild Flowering Crab is a hybrid crab apple known for its attractive and fragrant dark pink blossoms and deep purple mature leaves.

Tree farmers will find this hybrid appealing as a pollinator for other apples, while home growers will enjoy the red pome's ability to attract flocks of Cedar Waxwings in the early spring.

This species is reportedly resistant to fireblight.

Diablo Ninebark Quick Facts

Thunderchild Flowering Crab Quick Facts

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Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: reddish-purple
Foliage: dark purple leaves
Fall colour: yellow
Fall colour: dark red
Bark: brown to red, exfoliating
Flowers: white
Flowers: dark pink blossoms
Fruit: small red pomes that hang through the winter
Berries: red
Berries: small red pomes that hang through the winter
Seeds: inflated seed capsules
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: eastern ninebark, purple ninebark