Native Plant Database

Header Photo: Mervin Wallace

Cockspur Hawthorn

Crataegus crus-galli
Plant Type: Trees
Native Environment: Savanna / Woodland
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
Dry, Moderate
Nature Attracting
Pollinators/Beneficial Insects
Wildlife Benefit
Cover, Food/Birds, Food/Small Animals, Nesting
Animal
Resistance
Size

Height:

20 to
30
feet

Spread:

20 to
35
feet
Size
Height: 20 to
30
feet
Spread: 20 to
35
feet
Size
Height: 20 to
30
feet
Spread: 20 to
35
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Excellent in mass plantings, screens, as a specimen or a barrier. Afflicted by many diseases and pests, all part of the web of life and will not kill the tree.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Full sun to part shade, prefers well drained soilsalthough adapts to almost any soil. Easy to grow, but susceptible to leaf spots and rusty in some years.
Special Features
Interesting Bark
Special Usage
Basic Description

The best “armed” of all our hawthorns, with two-inch long thorns! They are very ornamental. A small tree developing a flattened crown with long layered branches. Clusters of white flowers bloom in May and are followed by deep red berries in fall.

Where Should I Start?

Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.

What’s the Next Step?

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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.

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