Hawthorn

Family. Rosaceae. 

Where it grows. Europe, Asia, North America.

Description. Hawthorn is a large genus of shrubs and trees in the Rosaceae family, growing to heights of 5–15 metres (16–49 ft) with small fruits and (usually) thorny branches forming a rounded crown. The most common varieties have smooth grey bark on young plants. In adults, shallow longitudinal cracks appear on the bark. Some species have reddish-brown branches on which sharp spines up to 2.5 cm (1 in) long form.

The leaves are dark green, arranged in a spiral on long branches, shiny, in most species three- or five-lobed, reaching 6 cm in length. Sometimes the leaf blade has small teeth along the edge. The inflorescences are small, few-flowered. White or pink 5-petal flowers are collected in small inflorescences of 9-18 pieces and bloom in mid-spring. The fruits are orange or red, up to 1.2 cm long, with 2-3 seeds, ripen in September. Many cultivated varieties have double or pink buds.

Height.  Up to 15 m.

Caring at home

How to grow 

When different species are grown together, they easily crossbreed and form hybrids. In urban landscaping, where hawthorn has been used since time immemorial, there are many unnamed hybrid forms. By pruning, you can maintain a compact and neat plant shape.

Propagation 

By seeds, or better yet, by root shoots or grafting. Growing from seeds will require a lot of time and labor.

When it blooms 

The flowering time of hawthorn is from mid-spring.

Diseases and pests

Fungal leaf spot and rust can severely disfigure foliage. Powdery mildew.

Of the harmful insects, the shrub can be attacked by aphids, spider mites, moths, caseworms, mealybugs, scale insects and false scale insects, sawflies, weevils, leaf rollers, silkworms, cocoon moths, and tubeworms.

Transplant 

Adult trees are replanted once every 2-3 years, young seedlings - annually in spring as they grow and develop. For large tub specimens, the top layer of soil about 5 cm thick is replaced with fresh substrate every year.

Temperature

Tolerates a wide range of temperatures, frost-resistant plant. In winter it should be kept in a cool, bright room.

Lighting

Photophilous, but can grow in partial shade. 

Soil

It is undemanding to soils, but prefers fertile ones. Loves clay more than sand, and better with lime, can grow in poor soils, with very acidic and very alkaline pH. 

Fertilizer

During the growing season and fruiting period once a month. 

Spraying

No special requirements, occasional spraying would be welcome. 

Watering

Maintain uniform humidity during the period of active growth, reduce watering in winter. 

Purpose

Hawthorn is suitable for growing using the bonsai technique.

Note

An extremely valuable medicinal plant. Used mainly to treat diseases of the heart and circulation, especially the walls of the cardia.