Wright’s interest in plant breeding originated in his youth when confined to bed during an illness, he came upon a book about Gregor Mendel’s laws of inheritance. "Henceforth, nothing has ever since kept my attention as completely as a study of heredity and hereditary interests." His interest in genetics and plant breeding led to the development of more than 50 prairie hardy cultivars including the 'Thunderchild' flowering crab apple, introduced in 1977. The Saskatchewan Nursery Trades Association selected it to celebrate the province’s 75th anniversary.
Malus x ‘Thunderchild’ is a medium-sized tree bearing fragrant, rosy blooms in early spring. Its leaves emerge green, turning to rich purple and changing to a bronzy colour in fall. 'Thunderchild' is resistant to firelight and its modest size fits well in prairie gardens and boulevards. This crab produces perfectly edible marble-sized fruit that tend to cling to the tree over winter. Bees and other pollinators love the blooms and birds love the fruit. In particular, cedar waxwings arrive in droves in late winter and early spring to feast. The fruit makes an excellent jelly, juice or wine. You can even use the fruit to make your own pectin. Blooms, fragrance, colour, birds, bees, food - this tree is an asset to any backyard ecosystem and just one of Percy Wright’s legacies to prairie gardens.
Percy Wright: 'Thunderchild' flowering crab apple
You may not know his name, but you probably know his plants. Percy Wright (1898 – 1989) was an accomplished teacher, musician, newspaper reporter and nurseryman. He was also an outstanding plant breeder, despite having little formal training in horticulture.