Species hawthorn
red-black fruits with olive-green leaves and brown branches

hawthorn

Crataegus nitida

Hawthorn (Crataegus nitida) is an amazing plant that offers a wide range of benefits. Its vigorous growth habit and resistance to disease make it an excellent choice for a hedge or smaller screen. Its lovely white flowers and bright red berries in the late summer and fall are eye-catching and provide a nice contrast to other plants. Once established, it is quite drought tolerant. Hawthorn is also highly valued for its medicinal uses; the leaves, berries, and flowers can all be used to make remedies for various ailments. It's a great addition to any landscape!

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Air Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Cutting,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 7

Flowers:

White Flowers In Spring

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Fruits:

red,yellow,orange Fruits Ready In

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Hawthorn (Crataegus nitida) should be watered deeply whenever the top few inches of soil feel dry. Water deeply each time you water and stop when water flows out of the drainage hole. Avoid overwatering this plant as it can lead to root rot. For most Hawthorn species, watering should be done once every 10 to 14 days during the growing season. During the winter months, when the hawthorn is dormancy, water only every 4 to 6 weeks.

sunlight

Hawthorn (Crataegus nitida) plants prefer full sun or light shade. They need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight a day in late spring, summer, and early fall. In the winter months, provide at least 3-4 hours of direct sunlight and the rest should be light shade. Avoid direct afternoon sun in summer as it often gets too hot for the delicate leaves.

pruning

For Hawthorn (Crataegus nitida), pruning is essential to maintain its shape, promote healthy growth, and preserve its ornamental value. Pruning of hawthorn should occur twice a year during the late winter/early spring and the summer/early fall. During the late winter/early spring, plan to remove any crossed branches, any that are too large and dominant, or those that may have been damaged during the winter season. During the summer/early fall, plan to thin out stem density, prune weak and narrow branching, and also remove any shoots that have grown at the base of the shrub. Be sure to keep a balanced, natural-looking shape when pruning.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Crataegus nitida (hawthorn) typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Hawthorn typically starts flowering in April or May.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Crataegus nitida (hawthorn) typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map