Green hawthorn is a native southeastern U.S. tree that thrives in zones 4 through 8, reaching 20 to 35 feet tall with a broad, rounded crown. This largely spineless hawthorn produces showy white flowers in May followed by edible red fruit that birds adore, making it exceptional for wildlife gardens and rain gardens alike. It's one of the most disease-resistant hawthorns available, tolerates urban pollution, and handles drought and clay soil with ease, asking only for full sun and moderate water once established.
Full Sun
Moderate
4-8
420in H x 420in W
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Moderate
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Gray-stemmed branches clothed in glossy dark green, finely serrated leaves create an elegant silhouette year-round, but the real draw comes in May when delicate white flowers blanket the canopy. The subsequent bright red fruit persists well into fall and winter, feeding migrating birds and butterflies while adding color to the bare winter landscape. This native tree thrives on neglect once established, handling everything from urban grime to dry clay soils without complaint.
Green hawthorn serves multiple landscape functions. Its showy spring flowers and persistent edible red fruit make it valuable as an ornamental flowering tree. The fruit attracts birds and butterflies, making it exceptional for wildlife gardens and rain gardens designed to capture and filter stormwater runoff while supporting pollinators and migratory birds.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Prune green hawthorn in late winter or early spring to maintain its naturally dense, rounded form. The tree is largely spineless, which makes handling it easier than many hawthorn species. Remove any crossing or rubbing branches to improve air circulation and reduce disease pressure. Avoid heavy pruning once mature, as the broad spreading crown provides its primary ornamental value.
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“Green hawthorn is native to the southeastern United States, with its range stretching from Virginia to Florida, west to Texas, and up the Mississippi River valley to Illinois. In Missouri, where it occurs naturally, the species inhabits low wet grounds and streamside areas in the state's southeastern and southwestern regions. This native origin means the tree has been part of the North American landscape long before Europeans arrived, playing a crucial ecological role in its native range.”