Thunderchild Flowering Crab vs Cow Parsnip - TreeTime.ca

Thunderchild Flowering Crab vs Cow Parsnip

Malus x adstringens Thunderchild

Heracleum maximum

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

CUSTOM GROW

Thunderchild Flowering Crab
Cow Parsnip

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.

Cow Parsnip is a native perennial plant that grows tall with very large leaves and broad clusters of white flowers. It grows quickly, providing quick cover in disturbed areas.
Its flowers are large and plentiful, providing nectar and pollen for bees, flies, and butterflies. Its seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. The young shoots of the plant are edible, but care must be taken as the sap of this plant can cause skin irritation (see below).
Note: The sap of the Cow Parsnip can cause phytodermatitis when exposed to ultraviolet light (sunlight). This can cause rashes or even burns. Care should be taken if pruning or handling this plant.

Thunderchild Flowering Crab Quick Facts

Cow Parsnip Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Growth form: upright
Spreading: seeds - low
Suckering: none


Toxicity: sap causes skin irritation
Foliage: dark purple leaves
Foliage: very large, palmate leaves
Fall colour: dark red
Flowers: dark pink blossoms
Flowers: large clusters of white flowers
Bloom time: spring to early summer
Fruit: small red pomes that hang through the winter
Berries: small red pomes that hang through the winter
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, PE
Other Names: american cow parsnip, common cow parsnip