Malus 'Ivory Spear'

Ivory Spear Crabapple

Botanical Name: Malus 'Ivory Spear'
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: Cultivar selection (USA); genus native to the Northern Hemisphere
Plant Type: Deciduous tree

Overview

A narrow, columnar crabapple that’s perfect for Adelaide and South Australian gardens where space is tight but impact matters. Deep pink buds burst into masses of white blossom in spring, followed by cherry-red fruit that often hang well into late autumn/winter. Clean, dark-green foliage and a slim, upright habit make ‘Ivory Spear’ a superb choice for avenues, driveways and formal screens.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 4.5–6 m H × 1.5–2.5 m W (strongly upright/columnar)
• Growth Rate: 30-45 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Dark green, disease-resistant leaves; touch of yellow/bronze in autumn; forms a uniform vertical column.
• Flowers: Deep pink buds opening to white, lightly fragrant flowers in mid–spring
  
• Seasonal Interest: Spring blossom → summer glossy green → yellow/bronze autumn colour + persistent red fruit → sculptural winter column
• Wildlife Value: Attracts bees/pollinators (spring bloom) and birds (small persistent fruit)
• Tolerance: Frost hardy; heat & urban-tolerant; wind-tolerant; suits varied soils if well-drained (avoid waterlogging)
• Planting Density: Avenue/specimen: 2–3 m apart for a formal line; 1.5–2 m for a tight screen/allée (allow for column width)
• Pet Friendly: Generally regarded as non-toxic; fallen fruit may attract wildlife

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun (best flowering/fruiting)
• Soil: Moist, well-drained loam/sandy loam/clay loam; mulch to conserve moisture
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8-12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10-14 days in summer; monthly in winter if dry.
• Maintenance: Minimal—winter prune to maintain a single leader and remove crossing wood; remove mummified fruit if desired for tidiness
• Lifespan: 25-50 years
• Climate Zones: Suited to temperate and Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral, tolerates mildly alkaline if drainage is good

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Slim avenue or driveway rhythm where width is limited
• Formal screens or courtyard accents without overshadowing
• Small-space feature tree with four-season appeal

Why You Will Love It

‘Ivory Spear’ gives you the classic crabapple show—spring blossom, autumn colour and festive red fruit—in a super-slim footprint that suits Adelaide blocks and narrow streets. It’s tidy, low-maintenance and reliably ornamental in South Australia’s climate, turning tight spaces into standout features with year-round interest.