Flowering Japanese crabapple is a classic that is noted for its abundant fragrant flowers. The transition from bud to flower offers a color range from almost red to pink to white. The fruit is yellow with a pinkish blush. This species is extensively planted at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Crabapples are small flowering trees that provide a showy display in the spring landscape for 1 to 2 weeks. In addition to the eye-catching buds and flowers, their foliage, habit, and fruit make them attractive plants almost year round. They are actively hybridized for flower color, leaf color, fruit size/color, shape, and, most important, disease resistance. Crabapple fruits are usually not eaten by humans but are beloved by birds. Most crabapples benefit from modest amounts of pruning to eliminate water sprouts and improve airflow.