Digging deeperPlant Library

Description:

Certainly one of the finest small landscape accent shrubs; superb branching habit, a blanket of white flowers in spring, red berries and brilliant color in fall; a plant of great beauty, but watch out for the sharp thorns

Ornamental Features

Cockspur Hawthorn is draped in stunning clusters of white flowers held atop the branches in mid spring. The fruits are showy red pomes carried in abundance from early fall to late winter. It has forest green deciduous foliage. The glossy round leaves turn an outstanding tomato-orange in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Cockspur Hawthorn is a deciduous tree with a stunning habit of growth which features almost oriental horizontally-tiered branches. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spiny

Cockspur Hawthorn is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Hedges/Screening

Planting & Growing

Cockspur Hawthorn will grow to be about 25 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 25 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is native to parts of North America.