Thunderchild Flowering Crab vs Purple Prairie Clover - TreeTime.ca

Thunderchild Flowering Crab vs Purple Prairie Clover

Malus x adstringens Thunderchild

Dalea purpurea

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Thunderchild Flowering Crab
Purple Prairie Clover

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.

Purple Prairie Clover is a native perennial wildflower known for its striking purple blooms. The flower heads grow as dense spikes on tall stems, with each flower head containing many tiny blossoms. Blooming for 4–6 weeks in the summer, it attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.

The high protein content of the Purple Prairie Clover makes it excellent forage for wildlife and birds like to feed on its seeds. As a nitrogen-fixing plant, it enriches the soil, improving fertility and benefiting nearby vegetation. These ecological contributions make it a great choice for pollinator gardens, prairie & rangeland restoration, naturalization, and re-vegetation efforts.

This drought and heat-tolerant plant thrives in various soil conditions, including rocky soil, making it remarkably easy to grow in challenging environments. As a perennial, it dies back to the crown each winter, it will regrow from the base in the spring. Avoid disturbing the crown during late winter to ensure healthy growth the following season.

Thunderchild Flowering Crab Quick Facts

Purple Prairie Clover Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $16.99 - SAVE UP TO 15%
Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: dark red
Berries: small red pomes that hang through the winter
Flowers: dark pink blossoms
Flowers: purple flowers in dense cone-like heads
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: very fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: none




Other Names: violet prairie-clover