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CRATAEGUS
Commonly known as Hawthorn
Genus of 140 or more species of usually spiny, deciduous, sometimes semi-evergreen trees and shrubs found in woodland and scrub in northern temperate regions.
The well-known small tree provides food and shelter for a myriad of insects, mammals and birds as well as foodstuffs and medicine throughout history.
In the 18th and 19th centuries hawthorn saplings were propagated on a massive scale to provide boundaries for the Inclosure Acts where almost 7 million acres of land were enclosed.
Superstition and folklore abounds in a genus which is so widespread.
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Deciduous
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Semi-evergreenKeeps some of its foliage all year, and will drop some leaves as well.
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Tall Shrub
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Tree
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Additional FeaturesGood to knowExtremely hardy. Wildlife plant. Host plant to almost 150 insect species. Birds and woodmice adore fruit. Hedges provide nest sites.Medicinal propertiesIn ancient times used for treating gout, pleurisy and insomnia. Currently used to treat heart valve disease.Place of originNorthern temperate regions.
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WildlifeBee friendlyBird friendly
- Crataegus - Growing Guide
- C. schraderiana, ellwangeriana, combyi & aprica - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing suckers from grafted Crataegus - Video Tip ondemand_video
- How to plant a tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- How to plant a tree
- Ties - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Restaking fallen young trees - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Fallen old tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Clearing up fallen beech tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Spring pruning - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing side shoots - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Pruning and Shaping Magnolia - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Deer protection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Weed Spraying - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing Ivy - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing wire protection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Tree Survey - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Crown uplift - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing shoots below graft - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing peeling bark - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Maintaining variegation - Video Tip ondemand_video
Buy Varieties of CRATAEGUS
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. CRATAEGUS alabamensis var. florens](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/crataegus_alabamensis_var_florens.jpg)
CRATAEGUS alabamensis var. florens
an American hawthorn with spoon-shaped leaves and large berries
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. CRATAEGUS ambigua](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/crataegus_ambigua_7120_w.jpg)
CRATAEGUS ambigua
drought and cold tolerant with yellowish peeling bark and purple-red flowers
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. CRATAEGUS ellwangeriana 'Fire Ball'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/crataegus_ellwangeriana_fire_ball_7124.jpg)
CRATAEGUS ellwangeriana 'Fire Ball'
a rare, attractive hawthorn. Large berries and good autumn colour
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. CRATAEGUS laevigata 'Crimson Cloud'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/crataegus_laevigata_crimson_cloud_5990t.jpg)
CRATAEGUS laevigata 'Crimson Cloud'
('Punicea') - an attractive form with single scarlet flowers and a pronounced white centre
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. CRATAEGUS laevigata 'Paul's Scarlet'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/crataegus_aevigata_pauls_scarlet_1381a.jpg)
CRATAEGUS laevigata 'Paul's Scarlet'
double red
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. CRATAEGUS laevigata 'Rosea Plena'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/crataegus_laevigata_rosea_plena_7125.jpg)
CRATAEGUS laevigata 'Rosea Plena'
double pink flowers on this hawthorn
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. CRATAEGUS monogyna](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/crataegus_monogyna_1383.jpg)
CRATAEGUS monogyna
white flowers
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. CRATAEGUS persimilis 'Prunifolia'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/crataegus_persimilis_prunifolia~4.jpg)
CRATAEGUS persimilis 'Prunifolia'
a small compact broad headed tree notable for its persistent red fruit and striking autumn colour
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. CRATAEGUS schraderiana](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/crataegus_schraderiana_6812.jpg)
CRATAEGUS schraderiana
a rounded tree with deeply cut grey-green leaves. Masses of large purple-red fruits, no prickles either!
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. CRATAEGUS tanacetifolia 'Konya'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/crataegus_tanacetifolia_konya_8001_w_made_up.jpg)
CRATAEGUS tanacetifolia 'Konya'
Useful extras...
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/Vitax_Q4_6202.jpg)
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/rootgrow_6203.jpg)
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/empathy-allpurpose_6208.jpg)
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/GUARD_TREE_6213.jpg)
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/slate_label_6218.jpg)
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/slate_tie_6219.jpg)