Green Hawthorn

Crataegus viridis

Native to:
United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Rosaceae
Genus:
Crataegus
Species:
Crataegus viridis
USDA Symbol:
CRVI2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
1200 cm
Light Requirements:
Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
apr,may
Bloom Colors:
white

Wildlife Benefits

Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Keystone Species Ranking

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

Host Plant for Caterpillars

leaf crumpler moth (Acrobasis indigenella)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fall Color:
red, purple

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Prefers riverbanks and wetland areas

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 120–240 days
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
365–730 days
Notes:
Seeds have double dormancy requiring warm then cold stratification. Germination may take 1-2 years and is often erratic.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Cold stratification prior to planting

Source: npn.rngr.net