Singleseed Hawthorn

Singleseed hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna, Rosaceae) is a deciduous tree native to Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia, reaching 20 to 30 feet tall with a spread of about 19 feet. The species name (monogyna = one pistil) refers to the single style in each flower. White flowers (8 to 15 millimeters) appear in April to May, followed by oblong red fruit (1 centimeter) each containing a single stone. It is long-lived, with cultural significance as the traditional English hedgerow plant.

Singleseed hawthorn grows in full sun on adaptable soils (pH 6.0 to 7.2) with moderate water needs and high drought tolerance, hardy in Zones 4a to 8b. Growth is slow, reaching about 20 feet at 20 years. It has weed potential, forming dense thickets that can exclude understory vegetation, and readily hybridizes with native hawthorn species. Disease and pest associations match the genus: 7 disease and 14 pest associations documented. The cultivar 'Flexuosa' (contorted form) is in the trade.