Personally I'd chose something else if its a grouping of three (something with more multi-seasonal appeal, like Crusader Hawthorn or autumn brilliance serviceberry or homestead buckeye or summer fun dogwood and the list goes on and on) but if I had to chose it would be Redbud. I don't like the color of the prairiefire leaves during the majority of the growing season. They are only good for the background to get that explosioin of flowers for 2 weeks and then thats it.

Well, I can tell you that when well sited, well maintained, etc. fl. crabs tend to be long-lived landscape plants. Also, for you the redbud is probably fine, but just a little further north-up here-they can look good some years but have lots of winter damage other years. But again, you're more in the proper range for the redbud.

I like them both but I'm kind of a crab nut, so long as the chosen cultivar has: Good disease resistance for your area, persistent fruit (for a nice, long fall/winter show), and the growth form I prefer in crabs, which is wider than tall. Can't remember the pertinent details on Prairie Fire, even given it's ubiquity.

+om

The Prairefire like our two Centurion crabs will also provide a ever changing look. They emerge in the spring with maroon leaves, then come the fuscia flowers, before the leaves turn bronzy green, finally the fruit mixed in with the leaves in late summer. The fruit persist till the first frost, after which they are kind of inconspicuous. Our Redbud, well its no doubt spectacular in flower, but then fades into the background. If you are leaning towards Redbud, and want something with a bit more pop after the flowering season, have you considered Merlot or Forest Pansy Redbud?

I have an Eastern redbud and a group of 3 Prairiefires. I prefer the redbud mostly because it doesn't sucker up like the crabs. I also prefer the fall color of the redbud.

My Redbuds have been hit by Verticillium Wilt pretty hard over the years, but they're still hanging in there and looking quite good. This post is not to throw a wet blanket on the Redbuds as I like 'em too but just be aware of this if VW is a problem in your area.

VW is a heartbreaker for sure.

Brad N.IL/Z5

Thank you for your comments! I am going with 3 Purple Prince crabapple trees to line the drive.

Interesting 360 there. Prariefire is a better plant in my opinion.

Growers push the Purple Prince as it grows faster.

Also the Morton Arb ranks Prariefire as excellent in four categories of disease resistant while Purple Prince gets excellent in two categories.

Two thumbs down from me!lol