Clusters of white flowers in mid-May. Foliage turns yellow and scarlet in fall. Bright red, persistent fruit in September. The bark of older trunks often exfoliates to expose an orangish-brown inner bark. Minimal thorns. Requires pruning to attain open trunks.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Green Hawthorn
Crataegus viridis
Plant Type: Trees
Native Environment: Forest
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June), Late (July - frost), Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: White
Fall Color: Red
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Soil
Moisture
Moderate, High
Nature Attracting
Pollinators/Beneficial Insects
Wildlife Benefit
Food/Birds, Nesting
Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
20 to
35
feet
Spread:
20 to
35
feet
Size
Height: 20 to
35
feet
Spread: 20 to
35
feet
Size
Height: 20 to
35
feet
Spread: 20 to
35
feet
Typical Landscape Use
The best species of Missouri's state flower for garden use. Good fall color and persistent fruit help provide year round interest. Pollution tolerant. Provides food, cover and nest sites for songbirds.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grows easily in rich, well-drained soil in full sun. Resists rust, a disease that attacks many other hawthorns. Tolerates flooding. Requires pruning to attain open trees.
Special Features
Special Usage
Dried Flower, Rainscaping
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.