The purple buds of Cardinal crabapple open to red flowers. The foliage emerges purplish-red and progresses to dark green with a hint of purple. Deep red fruits persist into the winter. This cultivar is rated excellent for disease resistance by the University of Illinois Extension; it is notable for its spreading habit.

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 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.