Washington hawthorn

The Washington hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum) should be watered regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. During its active growing season (April through August), it typically requires weekly watering and may need more water during periods of high heat and dryness. During the autumn and winter months, watering should be reduced to once every 2 to 3 weeks depending on weather conditions. Be sure to water in the morning so the foliage has time to dry out during the day.

Washington hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum) prefers full sun to partial shade. In ideal conditions, the plant should receive about 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. If the plant must receive some shade, then more partial sun (2-4 hours of sunlight) is better than full shade. However, it is important to note that too much shade can cause the tree to become stressed and can potentially stunt its growth.

Washington hawthorns are best pruned during the winter, while the tree is dormant. Pruning should be done with care to maintain the natural vase shape of the tree. Annual pruning to thin out large branches and remove any dead or broken limbs is recommended to maintain a healthy tree. During the second, third and fourth year of growth, some of the larger shoots can be reduced in length by 1/3 to help promote the desired shape of the tree. After that, pruning should be done lightly with the goal of thinning older branches and removing broken and diseased branches. It is not necessary to prune young trees heavily.