Columbia Hawthorn

You encounter Columbia Hawthorne as a native shrub-tree with distinctive five-lobed leaves, white spring flowers, and red fruit clusters throughout riparian and open forest settings in the Pacific Northwest. This thorny shrub marks streambanks where persistent moisture supports its growth.

Columbia Hawthorne reaches 20-30 feet tall in sun to part shade with moderate water needs and adaptable soil tolerance (zones 4a-8b). Thorny growth habit provides excellent wildlife shelter. Prune in late dormancy to shape; blooms appear on old wood. Watch for several fungal leaf spots, cankers, and Phytophthora issues; hawthorn leaf miner and calico scale are documented insect pests. Fire blight can appear in warm, humid springs; prune out infected branches.