Scarlet Hawthorn

Crataegus coccinea var. coccinea

Native to:
Canada, United States

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Rosaceae
Genus:
Crataegus
Species:
Crataegus coccinea var. coccinea
USDA Symbol:
CRPE

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
800 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
apr,may,jun
Bloom Colors:
white
Food Forest:
Contains edible parts
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals, butterflies, bees
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fragrant:
Yes
Fall Color:
red, orange

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
prefers sunny locations in its native range

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 120–180 days
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
365–730 days
Notes:
Seeds exhibit double dormancy requiring warm then cold stratification; germination is often erratic and may take 1-2 years.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.

Source: Claude AI