Digging deeperPlant Library

Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn in bloom

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Description:

A top notch small landscape accent shrub of great beauty; superb branching habit, a blanket of white flowers in spring, red berries and brilliant color in fall; preferred to the species because it is thornless

Ornamental Features

Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn is covered 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

Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn is a deciduous tree with a stunning habit of growth which features almost oriental horizontally-tiered branches. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Hedges/Screening

Planting & Growing

Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn will grow to be about 18 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 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 medium 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 prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in 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 is a selection of a native North American species.