1 named cultivar

‘Winter King’Winter King Hawthorn

treeN. America Native

Hawthorn

The Story

Plant Bio

Crataegus viridis, green hawthorn, is a small deciduous tree native to the eastern United States, reaching twenty to thirty-five feet with a dense rounded crown. Clusters of white flowers open in late spring, glossy dark green leaves are shallowly lobed toward the tip, and small red fruits ripen in September and hang on the bare branches well into winter.

Its bark is the distinguishing feature: light grey and exfoliating to expose orange and cinnamon underbark, which gives real winter interest beyond the persistent fruit. Like most hawthorns it is thorny, which makes it superb nesting cover for songbirds and a poor choice beside a path or play area.

Uses & Benefits:

White spring flowers, persistent red winter fruit, and exfoliating grey bark showing orange beneath.

Tough, low-maintenance small tree that tolerates urban conditions and poor soil.

Thorny branches give protected nesting sites; fruit feeds songbirds through winter.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

330 inches

Width

330 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Eastern United States

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in autumn or early spring in well-drained soil.
Choose full sun for the best flowering and fruit.
Allow twenty to thirty-five feet of spread.
Water through the first two seasons.
Site it away from paths; the thorns are substantial.
Prune in late winter to remove crossing or dead wood.

Pro Tip

Keep it away from junipers where you can — hawthorns are an alternate host for cedar-hawthorn rust and will be reinfected each year.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in full sun for fruit and flower ☀️
Site it clear of paths and play areas 🌳
Prune in late winter ✂️
Use it for songbird nesting cover 🐦

Don't

Plant close to eastern redcedar or junipers ❌
Site it where thorns will catch people ❌
Expect it to tolerate deep shade ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Monitor
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Small specimen or street treeWildlife and songbird plantingWinter-interest tree for bark and fruit

Companion Plants

Serviceberry Eastern Redbud Flowering Dogwood Little Bluestem Black-Eyed Susan

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Hawthorn questions

What zones can Hawthorn grow in?

Hawthorn is hardy in USDA Zones 4–7. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Hawthorn deer resistant?

Yes — Hawthorn is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Hawthorn bloom?

Hawthorn typically blooms in late spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Hawthorn need full sun?

Hawthorn does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Hawthorn drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Hawthorn handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.