Unique Features: The Gladiator Crabapple grows at a moderate rate into an upright medium columnar form, with bronze purple leaves that turn full purple in the fall.  It gets a little wider than the Emerald Spire but it grows faster and the fruit is smaller. The spring flowers open dark pink and fade to lighter pink, and are quite fragrant. The fruit is 3/8’’ in diameter and purplish red in color. The fruit drops with the leaves and the birds will clean it up for you. The Gladiator Crabapple is usually grown with a medium canopy, rather than the low canopy found on its cousin the Emerald Spire Crabapple. The Gladiator has excellent resistance to Fire Blight and extreme cold hardiness.  All crabapples are approved by the Town of Parker.