Washington Hawthorn

Crataegus phaenopyrum

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-8b Find Your Zone

Shrub Type: Deciduous Flowering Tree

Height at Maturity: 25-30′

Width at Maturity: 20-25′

Spacing: 30 feet for space between trees

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Multi-stemmed, Rounded Crown

Growth Rate: Moderate

Flower Color: White

Flower Size: .5-.75″ in 3-4″ clusters

Flowering Period: Spring

Flower Type: Single, in clusters

Fragrant Flowers: Yes

Foliage Color: Emerge Reddish-Purple in Spring turning to Dark Green and then Orange, Scarlet to Purple in Fall

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: Yes – LOADS of berries!

Berry Color: Red

Sun Needs: Full to Mostly Sun, Morning Sun With Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Afternoon Sun, Filtered Sun

Water Needs: Average

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sandy(amended), Silty

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well-Drained

Soil pH: 5.0-8.0 (Acid to Alkaline)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention, Beneficial Pollinators, Birds

Resistances: Clay Soil, Deer, Disease, Drought (when established), Heat, Insect

Description

One of if not the showiest of all North American native trees, the Washington Hawthorn puts on a spectacular color show in three seasons. In mid to late spring abundant clusters of fragrant, very pretty white flowers resembling apple blossoms nearly cover the tree. Following the flowers are an equal abundance of brilliant, glossy red berries the birds and other wildlife will immensely appreciate. Leaves emerge reddish-purple in spring turning to dark green and finally to orange, scarlet and purple in fall. Trunk bark is silvery-gray and scaly and twigs are are a flaky, red-brown. At 30 feet tall and 25 feet wide, the Washington Hawthorne is a good fit for mid-size and back or front yard landscapes. This is one tree you’ll always look forward to seeing in bloom and berry!

It is said that American legend Paul Bunyan used the Washington Hawthorn’s thorned branches as a back scratcher.

Wildlife Value

This plant provides nectar for pollinators and is a larval host plant for Gray Hairstreak, Red-spotted Purple and Viceroy butterflies. Hummingbirds and butterflies feed on nectar from the flowers. Songbirds, cedar waxwings, quail, wild turkeys and small mammals love the red berries.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 25 to 30 feet tall and 20 to 25 feet wide with an upright, multi-stemmed, rounded form, the Washington Hawthorn is ideal for use as a specimen or in groupings in the landscape or sunny to partially shaded woodland borders that provide a dark background which shows off the spring flowers. A fine addition to butterfly and hummingbirds gardens, beneficial pollinator gardens, bird and wildlife gardens, North American native plant gardens, and cottage gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 30 feet for space between trees

Growing Preferences

The Washington Hawthorn grows best in a moist but well-drained acidic to alkaline soil of average fertility and full sun to part shade. That said, it will grow in clay, sandy and dry soils and is very drought tolerant when established.

Plant Long & Prosper!

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Received the tree packaged cleverly. Quick shipping and she’s already in the ground. I got a great deal and so far so good. Arrived in great condition. Will definitely be shipping here again!
~Alice———————————————–Hi Alice, We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy her for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG