Spiny hawthorn

Synonyms: spiny hawthorn, smooth hawthorn

Common hawthorn (lat. Crataegus laevigata) – a species of the genus Hawthorn (Crataégus) in the family Rosaceae (Rosaceae).

In nature it grows in temperate climates in Eurasia and North America. It grows on forest edges, in shrub thickets, in open pine and deciduous woods. The range extends to areas with a distinctly maritime climate. Lifespan over 400 years.

It is a small tree or large shrub with an asymmetrical crown. Height reaches 3-8 (12) m and 3-6 m in width. Growth rate moderate – 15-25 cm per year. Bark light gray, fissured. Young branches reddish- or olive-brown. Young shoots at first softly hairy, later becoming smooth. Branches are covered with short thorns reaching 0.6-2.5 cm in length; in cultivated plants thorns are sparse, leaf thorns also occur.

Leaf buds ovate-rounded, 2-3 mm long. Leaves glabrous, at first thin, papery, later becoming rather firm. The leaf blade dark green above, light green below, obovate, 2-6 cm in length and 2-5 cm in length. Lower leaves entire-margined, toothed only at the tip; the others are three-lobed, with blunt lobes, less often mucronate, crenate-toothed or sharply toothed. On non-fruiting shoots the leaves are larger, broad and deeply divided, 3-5-parted. Petioles short, 0.8-2.0 cm, felt-pubescent. In autumn leaves turn yellow-orange or bronze.

Inflorescences sparse, erect, with 6-12 flowers, axes and pedicels long, glabrous. Flowers small, 1.2-1.5 cm in diameter, pink or white. Sepals spreading, ovate-triangular, broad. Stamens 18-20. Anthers red. Pistils 2, rarely 3. Blooms in May–June.

Fruits ellipsoid, ovoid or globose, slightly ribbed, red or reddish-brown, less often white or yellow, 7-10 mm in diameter, juicy. Inside the fruit are 2-3 stones, up to 7 mm long and 5-6 mm wide, flat, with 2-3 grooves on the dorsal side, convex, and convolutely grooved on the ventral side. Fruits edible, tasteless. Fruits in August.

Forms and cultivars: Crataegus laevigata f. rubra С.К.SCHNEID, Crataegus laevigata f. Splendens С.К.SCHNEID, Crataegus laevigata f. alba plena REHD., Crataegus laevigata f. Candida plena SPAETH, Crataegus laevigata f. rosea LOUD., Crataegus laevigata f. punicea LODD., Crataegus laevigata f. Gireoudii SPATH., Crataegus laevigata “Paul`s Scarlet", Сrataegus laevigata 'auriculata'..

Hardiness zone: 5b

Site: grows well on clayey neutral or alkaline, moderately moist and well-drained soil. Prefers sunny locations. The plant is undemanding, can grow in shade, and tolerates urban conditions well.

Planting: young plants tolerate planting easily. Planting is usually done in early spring or late autumn, but summer planting in leaf is also possible. Planting hole depth should be at least 60-70 cm. Spacing between plants – 1-2 (3) m. Soil mix: humus, leaf soil, peat-compost, sand in proportions 2:2:1:1. When planting it is recommended to apply 300-400 g of rock phosphate and 4-5 kg of lime.

Care: water recommended once a month – 10-12 liters per plant. During dry periods watering should be doubled. In spring you can fertilize with nitroammophoska or Kemira-Universal at 120 g/m2. Before flowering it is recommended to feed with diluted manure at a ratio of 1:10, 8 L per adult plant.

Pruning: tolerates clipping and shaping very well. Has high shoot-forming ability.

Diseases: powdery mildew, ochre, gray, white and brown leaf spots.

Pests: apple scale insect (shield scale), acacia false scale.

Propagation: propagated by seeds, root suckers and layers, grafting.

Uses: fruits are consumed fresh and dried, used for pies, jams, jellies, coffee and tea substitutes, compotes. Flour from dried fruits is used in confectionery baking. Bark is used to make natural yellow, brown and red dyes. Good nectar source for bees. Fruits and bark are widely used in medicine. As an ornamental plant it is used in parks and gardens, in avenue plantings. Tolerates clipping and shaping well. Has high shoot-forming ability and can be used to create hedgerows.