Know Before You Go: Information and helpful hints for your next visit
The Morton Arboretum Get tickets
Browse Trees and Plants

Japanese flowering crabapple

Malus floribunda

Common names:
Japanese flowering crabapple

Content Detail

A small ornamental tree known for its showy, bright pink buds that open to fragrant white flowers. Japanese flowering crabapple has an irregular, spreading branch habit as it ages, showy persistent yellow-red fruits, and good disease resistance. Use as a specimen tree, in small groups, or combined in a mixed border.

  • Family (English) Rose
  • Family (botanic) Rosaceae
  • Tree or plant type Tree
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range Small tree (15-25 feet)
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7
  • Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Alkaline soil, Occasional drought
  • Season of interest mid spring, late spring, late summer, early fall
  • Flower color and fragrance Fragrant, White
  • Shape or form Broad, Irregular, Multi-stemmed, Upright
  • Growth rate Moderate

Native geographic location and habitat: 

This tree is native to Japan.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture: 

The dark green leaves are alternate, simple, elliptical, 2 to 4 inches long with serrated margins.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size: 

The pink buds open to white flowers.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions: 

The 3/8 inch long fruit is yellow and red.

Plant care:

Crabapples are adaptable to most soil conditions but prefer full sun in moist, well-drained soil. Light pruning may be required to keep plants healthy or to correct structural problems. Thinning the crown allows light into the center for better flowering. Remove dead, diseased and crossing branches at any time. Suckers from the base are problems with many crabapples. Prune the suckers as close to the ground as possible.

List of pests, diseases, and tolerances: 

Japanese flowering crab is slightly susceptible to apple scab and mildew. It is moderately susceptible to borers and fire blight. It has good resistance to Japanese beetles.

Photo Gallery (6)

Slider controls

Slider

Slider

1

Donate

Your support is vital to the Arboretum, where the power of trees makes a positive impact on people’s lives.

Make a gift