71 gardener saves
Crataegus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 5 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 5 most-saved Crataegus varieties
Of 5 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedWashington Hawthorn
Crataegus phaenopyrum
#2 most savedWinter King Hawthorn
Crataegus viridis 'Winter King'
#3 most savedCrusader Hawthorn
Crataegus crusgalli 'Cruzam'
Crimson Cloud English Hawthorn
Crataegus laevigata 'Crimson Cloud'
Cockspur Hawthorn
Crataegus crusgalli
How to grow Crataegus
What the Crataegus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Crataegus year
- PruneJanuary and February100% of varieties
Prune in late winter to remove dead wood and suckers.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October80% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall in a full sun location.
- Check for PestsMay and June80% of varieties
Monitor for aphids, lace bugs, and scale.
- Spray TreatmentApril and May40% of varieties
Apply preventative fungicide for rust if junipers are nearby.
Do
- Water regularly during the first year of establishment.
- Provide full sun for best flowering and fruiting.
- Prune to develop a strong framework when the tree is young.
- Appreciate its winter silhouette, bark, and berries.
- Provide full sun
Avoid
- Do not plant in heavy shade, which reduces flowering and fruiting.
- Avoid planting in poorly drained, waterlogged areas.
- Don't shear into a formal shape; allow its natural form to develop.
- Be cautious of the sharp thorns on branches.
What goes wrong with Crataegus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Lace Bugs | Stippled, bleached-looking upper leaf surfaces; tiny black varnish-like spots on the undersides. | Encourage beneficial predators. Spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, focusing on leaf undersides. Systemic insecticides can be used for severe cases. |
| Aphids | Clusters of small insects on new growth, causing leaf curl and sticky honeydew. | A strong jet of water can dislodge them. Use insecticidal soap for heavier infestations. |
| Cedar-Hawthorn Rust | Bright orange-yellow spots on leaves, fruit, and twigs. Can cause defoliation. | Avoid planting near Eastern Red Cedars (Juniperus virginiana), the alternate host. Rake up and destroy fallen leaves. Apply preventative fungicides in spring. |
| Fire Blight | Sudden wilting and blackening of branch tips, looking burnt. | Prune out infected branches, cutting at least 12 inches into healthy wood. Disinfect pruning tools between cuts. |
| Cedar-Apple Rust | Orange-yellow spots on leaves and fruit. Can cause defoliation. | 'Winter King' has good resistance. Avoid planting near Eastern Red Cedars (Juniperus virginiana). Apply preventative fungicides if rust is a recurring problem. |
Making more Crataegus
Seed
- Collect ripe fruit in fall and clean the seeds from the pulp.
- Seeds require a warm stratification for 2-3 months, followed by cold stratification for 3-4 months.
- Sow seeds in a protected bed outdoors in fall for natural stratification.
- Germination is slow and can take up to 18 months.
Budding
- Collect budwood from 'Winter King' in mid-summer.
- Perform T-budding onto Crataegus rootstock.
- Wrap the bud union securely with budding tape.
- The bud will remain dormant until the following spring.
Crataegus questions
How many types of Crataegus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 5 distinct Crataegus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 71 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Crataegus grow in?
Across its varieties, Crataegus covers USDA Zones 4–8. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Crataegus bloom?
Most Crataegus varieties bloom in late spring, mid-spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Crataegus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Crataegus shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Crataegus in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
