Green Hawthorn
Crataegus viridis (krah-TEE-gus VEER-ih-diss)
Green hawthorn, like most hawthorns, has gray, thorny bark, bears white flowers in the spring, and produces red fruit in the fall. However, unlike most hawthorns, the Green Hawthorn is resistant to leaf rust. It is native to the southeastern United States. Green Hawthorn is commonly found in bottom lands, swamps, and other wetlands in the Coastal Plain and adjacent Piedmont of North Carolina. Green Hawthorn is a dense, rounded tree that typically grows 20-35’ tall with a broad spreading crown. When present, thorns grow to 1 1/2 inches long. Leaves turn purple to red in fall. Fruits, sometimes called haws, are technically edible, but are usually best left for the birds. Green Hawthorn is easy to grow in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. It tolerates urban pollution, light shade, and drought, but moist, rich, fertile soils may encourage water sprout growth. The plant also tolerates pruning and can be shaped to a hedge in the landscape. The cultivar 'Winter King’ is a popular variety of Green Hawthorn. It is disease-resistant, has a profuse bloom of flowers in the spring, larger fruits, silvery-barked stems and attractive fall color (purple and scarlet). It is an excellent landscape tree and is largely spineless, with only occasional small thorns (to 1.5 inches long). This plant is probably the most commonly available hawthorn on the market. Diseases, Insects, and other Plant Problems: A disease-resistant hawthorn, although there is some susceptibility to cedar hawthorn rust (rust stage where eastern red cedars are present in the area) and fireblight. Fungal leaf spots, powdery mildew, cankers and apple scab are occasional problems. Insect pests include borers, caterpillars, lacebugs, leafminers and scale. VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 66 attributes.
How it fits the guild