Overview

Crataegus macrosperma is a spreading branched trees in the genus Crataegus, part of the Rosaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Crataegus macrosperma grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include coastal, cottage and informal garden and wildlife gardens.

About

Crataegus macrosperma, the bigfruit hawthorn is a species of hawthorn native to most of the eastern United States and adjacent Canada, though uncommon at lower altitudes in the south. It is sometimes misidentified as C. flabellata. It is one of the earliest hawthorns to bloom in spring. Grow it in full sun and partial shade and most soil types. In UK gardens it is very hardy across most of the UK (RHS H6). It works well for coastal, cottage and informal garden and wildlife gardens. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained, well-drained conditions and east-facing, south-facing and west-facing aspects. Plant in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Crataegus macrosperma

About the genus

Crataegus, commonly called hawthorn, quickthorn, thornapple, May-tree, whitethorn, Mayflower or hawberry, is a genus of several hundred species of shrubs and trees in the family Rosaceae, native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America. The name "hawthorn" was originally applied to the species native to northern Europe, especially the common hawthorn C. monogyna, and the unmodified name is often so used in Britain and Ireland.

Wikipedia contributors, "Crataegus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Crataegus

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Crataegus

Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil type

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Aspect

East-facing, South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H6

Plant details

Crataegus macrosperma size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Trees, Shrubs

Habit

Spreading branched

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Crataegus macrosperma

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by grafting. Seeds require stratification and may take up to 18 months to germinate

Pest resistance

May be susceptible to caterpillars, aphids and hawthorn button top midge

Disease resistance

May be susceptible to fireblight, honey fungus, crown gall, silver leaf, powdery mildews and rust diseases

Frequently asked questions