Clarkton Hawthorn
Crataegus crus-galli
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Wikimedia: Nadiatalent






Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Crataegus
- Species:
- Crataegus crus-galli
- USDA Symbol:
- CRHE3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 900 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
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, pollinators
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- orange, red, bronze
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from the root crown following fire. Thick bark provides some protection on mature specimens.
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; may take 2 years to germinate. 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
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C 6 wks then 4C 6 wks then slowly raise to 10C 6 wks. Repeat if no germination.