Malus toringo ‘Tina’ – A Miniature Crab Apple with Big Impact

Malus toringo ‘Tina’, also known as Toringo Crab Apple, is one of the most compact and charming ornamental crab apples available. Grafted onto a short clear stem (80cm), it forms a neat, rounded “lollipop tree” that is perfect for patios, small gardens, or decorative feature planting.

Despite its small size, ‘Tina’ delivers an impressive seasonal display. In spring, it bursts into life with masses of fragrant white blossom, flushed with pale pink, attracting bees and other pollinators. Through summer, the tree is clothed in fresh green foliage, followed in autumn by tiny red crab apples that persist into winter and are loved by birds. Its petite form and year-round beauty make it a superb choice where space is limited but impact is desired.

General Information

Malus toringo is native to Japan and valued for its delicate growth habit and ornamental appeal. The ‘Tina’ cultivar has been specially bred for its dwarf size and heavy flowering, making it an ideal tree for smaller spaces.

• Growth habit: Naturally rounded crown, grafted onto an 80cm clear stem

• Height & spread: Typically grows 1.5–2m tall with a rounded 1.5m canopy

• Foliage: Fresh green leaves, turning golden-orange in autumn

• Flowers: Masses of fragrant white blooms, blushed pink, in mid- to late spring

• Fruit: Tiny red crab apples in autumn, often persisting into winter

• Position: Best in full sun but tolerates light shade

• Hardiness: Fully hardy, coping well with frost and winter cold

• Soil: Prefers fertile, well-drained soil; tolerates most garden soils including clay and loam

• Uses: Perfect for patios, small gardens, decorative borders, or as a focal feature

Its compact size and long season of interest make it a highly rewarding tree for gardeners of all experience levels.

Care Guide

Malus toringo ‘Tina’ is easy to grow and requires only minimal maintenance, making it ideal for small-space gardening.

Planting

• Choose a spot in full sun for the best flower and fruit display.

• Plant in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost or organic matter.

• When planting in containers, use a loam-based compost and ensure good drainage.

• Water thoroughly after planting and mulch around the base.

Watering & Feeding

• Water regularly during the first year until established.

• Once mature, it only needs extra watering in prolonged dry spells.

• Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring to support flowering and fruiting.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain a neat shape if needed.

• Remove any crossing, dead, or congested branches to encourage healthy growth.

• Remove suckers from the base of the stem if they appear.

Protection

• Fully hardy and resilient, requiring no special winter protection.

• Generally disease-resistant, though occasional apple scab or powdery mildew may occur; good airflow helps reduce risk.

• Protect the graft union and lower stem from strimmer or mower damage.

Why Choose Malus toringo ‘Tina’?

This delightful miniature crab apple is a perfect choice for small gardens, patios, and decorative plantings. Despite its compact size, it offers the same seasonal drama as larger crab apples, with blossom, foliage, autumn colour, and fruits.

• Compact form: Grafted on an 80cm stem, perfect for small spaces and pots

• Seasonal beauty: Blossom in spring, fruits in autumn, and golden foliage in fall

• Wildlife-friendly: Flowers attract pollinators; fruits feed birds

• Versatile use: Ideal as a patio feature, border accent, or small focal tree

• Low-maintenance: Hardy, resilient, and easy to care for

Malus toringo ‘Tina’ (80cm stem) is the perfect way to bring seasonal charm, elegance, and wildlife value to even the smallest of gardens.

• Size
  80 CM STEM C5

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.