Pearthorn

Crataegus cognata

Native to:
Canada, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Rosaceae
Genus:
Crataegus
Species:
Crataegus cognata
USDA Symbol:
CRPE7

Growth Characteristics

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

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Keystone Species Ranking

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

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, bees, small mammals
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fragrant:
Yes
Fall Color:
red, orange
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from crown and roots following fire; historically present in fire-maintained savannas and woodland edges.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate

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:
Hawthorn seeds exhibit deep double dormancy; germination may take 2 years. Acid scarification followed by warm then cold stratification improves results.

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