Overview

Crataegus succulenta is a spreading branched trees in the genus Crataegus, part of the Rosaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Crataegus succulenta 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 succulenta is a species of hawthorn known by the common names fleshy hawthorn, succulent hawthorn, and round-fruited cockspurthorn. It is "the most wide-ranging hawthorn in North America", native to much of southern Canada, and the United States as far south as Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Tennessee. In this wide area there are many variant forms that have received species names, but can also be considered as synonyms. It is thought to be the parent, along with Crataegus crus-galli, of the tetraploid species Crataegus persimilis. In the garden it prefers full sun and partial shade and most soil types. In UK gardens it is very hardy across most of the UK (RHS H6). Suggested uses include 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 succulenta

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 succulenta 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 succulenta

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