Peking Cotoneaster vs Thunderchild Flowering Crab - TreeTime.ca

Peking Cotoneaster vs Thunderchild Flowering Crab

Cotoneaster acutifolia

Malus x adstringens Thunderchild

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

(new stock expected: fall of 2027)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Peking Cotoneaster
Thunderchild Flowering Crab

Peking Cotoneaster is a medium-sized shrub that is well adapted to colder climates. Best suited for use as a hedge, Peking Cotoneaster has dark green foliage that turns a stunning reddish orange in the fall.

Hardy fruit guru, Bernie Nikolai (DBG Fruit Growers), has started to recommend grafting hardy pear varieties to Peking Cotoneaster after his experiences were successful and produced fruit faster than other rootstocks. Remember to leave some nurse limbs if you try this.

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.

Peking Cotoneaster Quick Facts

Thunderchild Flowering Crab Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 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: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: glossy upper surface
Foliage: dark purple leaves
Fall colour: reddish-orange
Fall colour: dark red
Flowers: white, spring
Flowers: dark pink blossoms
Fruit: small red pomes that hang through the winter
Berries: black fruit
Berries: small red pomes that hang through the winter
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no

In row spacing: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)