{"product_id":"malus-royal-raindrops","title":"Malus 'Royal Raindrops'","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCrabapple ‘Royal Raindrops’\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eMalus\u003c\/em\u003e 'Royal Raindrops'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily: \u003c\/strong\u003eRosaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin: \u003c\/strong\u003eCultivar selection (USA); genus native to the Northern Hemisphere \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deciduous tree\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA striking, upright crabapple that fits beautifully into Adelaide and South Australian gardens, even when space is tight. In mid–spring it explodes with magenta-pink blossom, then carries small, cherry-red fruit that often persist into winter. Finely cut, purple foliage holds colour through summer and shifts to orange-red tints in autumn—delivering genuine four-season appeal for avenues, courtyards and narrow beds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–7 m H × 4–5 m W (upright, rounded column)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30-45 cm per year under good conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deeply lobed, glossy purple to purple-green leaves; new growth wine-purple, summer colour holds well; autumn tints of orange, bronze and red\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Masses of deep pink–magenta single flowers in mid–spring; lightly fragrant\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring blossom → summer dark, glossy foliage → autumn orange-red tones + persistent red fruit → sculptural winter framework\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Attracts bees\/pollinators in bloom and birds to the persistent fruit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Frost hardy; Heat- \u0026amp; Wind-Tolerant; Drought-Tolerant once established; Clay-Tolerant in well-drained soils; Coastal-Tolerant only in sheltered inner-coastal sites (avoid frontline salt\/wind)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Avenue\/specimen: 3–4 m apart (1.8–2.5 m for a tight line)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally regarded as non-toxic; avoid pets gorging on fallen fruit\/seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun for best flowering and fruiting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moist, well-drained loam\/sandy loam\/clay loam; mulch to conserve moisture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment: 2 deep soaks\/week for 8-12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10-14 days in summer; monthly in winter if dry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Light winter prune to keep a single leader and remove crossing wood; thin persistent fruit if tidiness is desired\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25-50 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Suited to temperate \u0026amp; Mediterranean SA, excellent for Adelaide streetscapes and courtyards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Suited to temperate \u0026amp; Mediterranean SA, excellent for Adelaide streetscapes and courtyards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlim avenue\/driveway rhythm where width is limited\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFormal screens or courtyard accents that won’t overpower small spaces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFour-season feature tree: blossom, coloured foliage and winter fruit in one package\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Royal Raindrops’ compresses the classic crabapple show into a slim, upright form that suits modern South Australian blocks. You get spring colour, summer polish, autumn fire and winter fruit with very little maintenance. It’s tidy, reliable and heat-tolerant enough for Adelaide’s climate—perfect when you want maximum impact in a narrow footprint.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"300mm Pot","offer_id":47355953840380,"sku":"MALU-ROYA-RAIN-300MM","price":110.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"400mm Pot","offer_id":48818509054204,"sku":"MALU-ROYA-RAIN-400MM","price":193.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500mm Pot","offer_id":48583348715772,"sku":"MALU-ROYA-RAIN-500MM","price":429.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/malus-royal-raindrops-crabapple-300mm-flower-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1767687867","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/malus-royal-raindrops","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}