Common hawthorn Crataegus monogyna
Common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Rosaceae family, native to Europe, north Africa and western Asia. It grows 6–10 m (20–33 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -28 °C (-18 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
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Common hawthorn at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Mature height | 6–10 m (20–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -28 °C (-18 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: ripe haws (cooked), young leaves |
| Native to | Europe, north Africa and western Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇮🇪 Ireland |
| Invasive in | Australia (Victoria, Tasmania), New Zealand, US (Pacific Northwest, locally): check local rules before planting |
Is Common hawthorn toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Haws are edible when cooked; seeds should not be eaten, and the thorns can cause injury.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Common hawthorn
Good neighbours
- good With Garlic chives: Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal. Evidence D
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Eastern red cedar: Cedar-hawthorn rust needs both a juniper (eastern red cedar) and a hawthorn to complete its life cycle; spores can travel hundreds of metres, so keeping them about 50 m or more apart only lowers the risk. Evidence B
- caution With Common juniper: Hawthorn and common juniper are alternate hosts of a Gymnosporangium rust (hawthorn-juniper rust), so keeping them apart reduces infection pressure. Evidence B
Shared pests and diseases
- Fire blight: Fire blight bacteria are carried by bees and rain between apples, pears, quince, hawthorn, cotoneaster and firethorn. Evidence B
- Cedar-apple rust: The rust needs both a juniper and an apple-family host; spores travel hundreds of metres. Evidence B
See Common hawthorn in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (1 plants)
Questions about Common hawthorn
- How far apart should I plant Common hawthorn?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Common hawthorn need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Common hawthorn need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Common hawthorn?
- It tolerates about -28 °C (-18 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Common hawthorn flower?
- From about May for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Common hawthorn poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Haws are edible when cooked; seeds should not be eaten, and the thorns can cause injury.
- What grows well with Common hawthorn?
- Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
Notes and assumptions
- Thorny, tough hedging tree for wildlife; flowers have a fishy scent. Susceptible to fireblight and cedar-hawthorn rust.
- Considered a weed where naturalised outside Europe.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
- Raspberry Rubus idaeus
- Blackberry Rubus fruticosus agg.
- Garden rose Rosa x hybrida
- Japanese flowering cherry Prunus serrulata