Graceful Hawthorn

Crataegus thermopegaea

Native to:
United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Rosaceae
Genus:
Crataegus
Species:
Crataegus thermopegaea
USDA Symbol:
CRTH4

Growth Characteristics

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

Keystone Species Ranking

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

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals, pollinators
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fall Color:
red, orange
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Can resprout from the root crown following fire. Typically found in fire-maintained woodland edges.

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 double dormancy and may take 1-2 years to germinate. Scarification followed by warm then cold stratification improves germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI