Choose Purple Spire® Crabapple when you need a narrow flowering tree with dark foliage for a tight line or entrance. The tradeoff: it is not evergreen, so screen value drops after leaf fall.
Buy This If
You need height without much spread.
You want purple foliage, not green.
You like spring flowers and small fruit.
Skip This If
You need evergreen screening.
You dislike fruit drop.
Deer feed heavily in your yard.
PGNE Report Card
Category
Grade
Why
Landscape Impact
A-
The upright shape, pink bloom, dark foliage, and fruit give it more presence than most narrow ornamental trees.
Growth Rate
B+
It grows at a useful pace, but it will not give instant screening the way a larger evergreen can.
Maintenance
B-
Plan on light pruning, cleanup from fruit, and basic monitoring for common crabapple issues.
Deer Resistance
C-
Deer readily browse and rub young trees like this, so protect it while it establishes where pressure is heavy.
Small Space Fit
A
Its narrow habit makes it a strong fit where a round or spreading flowering tree would crowd walks, drives, or fences.
Screening Value
B-
It can soften views during the growing season, but it is deciduous and not the answer for winter privacy.
Our Experience
At PGNE, we would use this as a tight-space ornamental first and a screen second. If winter privacy matters, pair it with evergreens instead of relying on it alone.
Plant Facts
Mature Height
17.5 ft
Mature Width
6 ft
Hardiness Zones
3a-8a
Spacing
7 ft
Sun
Full Sun
Moisture
Average to moist
Growth Habit
Upright, narrow columnar
Customers Usually Ask
Does it make fruit?
Yes, it produces small ornamental crabapples that can attract wildlife and may create some cleanup.
Can I plant it along a fence?
Yes, that is one of its better uses, as long as it has room for air movement and maintenance access.
Is it a privacy tree?
Only seasonally; it narrows and softens a view but does not block like an evergreen.
Why Choose Ornamental & Accent Trees?
Spring Flower Impact: Cherries and serviceberry deliver standout blooms that define the season.
Fall Color & Seasonal Interest: Ginkgo and serviceberry provide reliable, high-impact color late in the year.
Form & Structure: Weeping, upright, and spreading forms create focal points and visual balance in the landscape.
We grow and source ornamental trees selected specifically for New England performance — not just appearance, but reliability, structure, and long-term success in local conditions.
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Growzone Finder
It helps us recommend plants that are best for your local climate, based on your growing zone. Also, because we ship plants based on when they are best for your local climate, it allows us to give you a more accurate estimate of when your order will ship.
Amy Martin
Progrowers was a great company to purchase from. Very fast delivery to my house. The tree seems to be in great condition and is so far doing really well!
Scarlet Fire® Flowering Dogwood
Anthony scavo
Great job. Very fast, efficient, clean work. Would recommend to everyone
Emerald Green Arborvitae
Anonymous
Came on time, planted the trees exactly where I wanted. Cleaned up after the work was done.
Installation Service ($30)
Josh Wagner
The guys showed up on time, did a nice install and cleaned up after themselves.
Found this company on GOOGLE, and so glad I did!
I needed trees asap, to create a fence from neighbors. None of the local nurseries had any stock for the Green Giant Arborvitae’s.
Only a 30 min ride, and we were met with the kindest folks and the BEST selection of trees, shrubs, and flowering perennials.
Don’t even bother with the Big Box stores, (if they have them, they are usually half dead) when you can get them bigger and HEALTHIER at Pro Growers. A N D local delivery is readily available!
WHY go anywhere else!
Progrowers was a great company to purchase from. Very fast delivery to my house. The tree seems to be in great condition and is so far doing really well!
