Planting "Jelly King" crab apple

Beautiful spring day today, so out into the garden all day. These are the pear blossoms against the blue sky, beautiful in themselves but also with the promise of delicious fruit come February.

My main activity today was planting a "Jelly King" crab apple which has languished in a pot for the last three years. I was a bit shocked to see how little the roots had grown; hopefully in its new position, on a heavy silt loam with plenty of moisture it will flourish. I'm trying to get things out of pots. I find they require a great deal of watering in summer, as they dry out so fast, and many things don't really do well potted up. So into the garden with them, where they can hunt for their own water.

Turf removed (used my compost bin lid as a template for a nice round shape) and tree placed.

Firming in with dainty booted foot

Finished with planting at bottom - variegated symphytum, a couple of pansies and an orange viola. The stones are to stop the blackbirds pecking the plants up.

Jelly King fruit. (photo from www.chrisbowers.co.uk)

This is a small tree, 12 ft or so, so will not get too big for my garden. It can retain fruit all winter, as the birds do not like it. (Well, we'll see). I'm hoping it will provide a bright focus against the dark fence in an area that is a bit gloomy in winter.
  I once met a woman who referred to these in all seriousness as crap-apples! She thought they were called this because they were not good to eat raw, and wasn't pleased when I pointed out the error of her ways. Hah!
PS. "Jelly King" was bred here in NZ at Matthews Nurseries in Wanganui, but has been available in the UK for a while. (Not sure about USA or Australia).
http://mygarden.rhs.org.uk/blogs/graham_rice/archive/2010/11/21/malus-jelly-king-new-ornamental-crab-apple.aspx