CRATAEGUS PHAENOPYRUM

CRATAEGUS PHAENOPYRUM
Grower Notes:

Crataegus phaenopyrum (Washington Hawthorn) is a highly versatile and ornamental tree, native to the southeastern United States. It is a great choice for gardeners seeking a tree that delivers visual interest across multiple seasons. It is a true landscape workhorse, offering something to admire in every season. Its dense, broadly oval crown provides a graceful shape year-round.

In late spring to early summer, it is one of the last Hawthorns to flower, covering its branches in beautiful clusters of creamy white blossoms. This provides a wonderful attractant for bees, butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. As summer ends, its glossy dark green leaves transform into a brilliant show of scarlet, orange and purple, providing a splash of color in the autumn landscape. Followig the flowers, the tree produces an abundance of shiny, bright red fruits, known as 'haws'. These berries cluster and often persist well into winter, creating a nice colorful contrast against a snowy backdrop and also providing a vital food source for birds.

Washington Hawthorn is known for its toughness. Its dense, thorny nature makes it an excellent choice for a protective hedge or privacy screen. It thrives in full sun for best flowering and fruiting. It enjoys average, evenly moist, well-draining soils. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil pH levels.