The Eastern crabapples at the Chicago Botanic Garden were grown from plant material collected in Russia with a view to evaluate their potential to enhance the genetic diversity and disease resistance of crabapple hybrids in the United States. These plants produce white or pink flowers that are followed by yellow fruit.

Crabapples are small flowering trees that provide a showy display in the spring landscape for 1-2 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 importantly – 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.