Regardless of the season, crabapples lend landscape color and interest. The winter branch pattern and bark color are as much an asset as spring's flower color. Most crabapples mature between 15 to 25 feet tall, although cultivars as small as 8 feet or as tall as 40 feet are available. Crabapple form or shape varies from tall and narrow through oval to round. Cultivars such as 'Molten Lava' have interesting horizontal branch habits which are particularly attractive in winter.
Most crabapples flower a few years after planting.
Even in the ballooning stage, before blossoms are fully open, they are attractive. Colors in the balloon stage are white, pink, or red. Once fully open, the blossoms become fragrant. The total bloom period may be as long as two weeks although wind, heat and rain can shorticultureen the blossom period. Fully opened blossoms are white, pink and dark or purplish red.