What hardiness zones is Crataegus monogyna suitable for?

Crataegus monogyna is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Crataegus monogyna?

Crataegus monogyna requires Full Sun.

How much water does Crataegus monogyna need?

Crataegus monogyna has Low water needs.

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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Crataegus monogyna

common hawthorn

Rosaceae

Europe, western Asia, and North Africa; naturalized and invasive in Pacific Northwest

At a Glance

TypeTree

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 m)

Width15-20 feet (4.5-6 m)

Maturity10 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (moderate)

Maintenancelow

Overview

Crataegus monogyna (common hawthorn, may, single-seed hawthorn) is a thorny deciduous tree or large shrub native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, reaching 15–25 feet (4.5–7.5 m) tall and 15–20 feet (4.5–6 m) wide. It has been widely planted in the Pacific Northwest and has naturalized significantly — common hawthorn is a Class C noxious weed in Washington state and is considered invasive in Oregon, where birds disperse the seed into native meadows, riparian areas, and open woodlands, outcompeting native vegetation. Gardeners should be aware of this invasive status before planting, particularly on properties adjacent to natural areas. In May (the month it is named for — common hawthorn is also called 'may'), clusters of fragrant white five-petaled flowers smother the densely thorned branches in one of the most abundant spring floral displays of any European tree. Flowers have a sweet fragrance with a complex, somewhat astringent undertone. Small round red haws 0.3 inch (8 mm) with a single seed (hence monogyna — 'one seed') ripen in September through October and persist through winter, supporting thrushes, waxwings, and other birds. Leaves are deeply cut into 3–7 lobes — more deeply incised than those of the related C. laevigata. Dense, stiff thorns 0.5–1 inch (13–25 mm) make this one of the most impenetrable hedging plants available. Great Plant Picks endorsed. DB notes: url_1 and url_5 in this record link to Crataegus rhipidophylla — those links do not apply to this plant.

Native Range

Native to Europe from Britain east to Russia and Ukraine, and south through the Mediterranean basin to North Africa and western Asia. Widely naturalized in temperate regions worldwide, including the Pacific Northwest where it is classified as invasive.

Suggested Uses

Where its invasive status is not a concern (e.g., well away from natural areas, in urban settings with regular seedling control), common hawthorn provides one of the most impenetrable traditional hedges available — historically the foundation of the British agricultural landscape. Great Plant Picks endorsed for ornamental use. The May floral display is spectacular, the fragrance notable, and the winter haw crop valuable for birds. Suitable for wildlife gardens, traditional hedgerow plantings, and rural settings where its spread can be managed. Not recommended adjacent to natural areas, native plant gardens, or conservation lands in the PNW. Invasive status should be disclosed in any educational or nursery context.

How to Identify

Identified by deeply lobed leaves with 3–7 lobes cut more than halfway to the midrib — the most deeply incised of the common hawthorns in cultivation. Dense, sharp thorns 0.5–1 inch (13–25 mm). Clusters of fragrant white five-petaled flowers in May; small round red haws 0.3 inch (8 mm), each with a single seed (cracking open reveals the single large seed — the key to the name monogyna). Distinguished from Crataegus laevigata by more deeply lobed leaves (C. laevigata has shallower 3-lobed leaves). Distinguished from C. phaenopyrum by smaller haws and more deeply incised leaf lobing.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height15' - 25'

Width/Spread15' - 20'

Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Blooms in May — the 'may' of its common name — with dense clusters of white five-petaled fragrant flowers covering the branches. The flower display is profuse and lasts 2–3 weeks. Fragrance is sweet with a distinctive complex undertone characteristic of hawthorn flowers. Small red haws 0.3 inch (8 mm) with one seed ripen in September through October and persist through winter, providing critical food for thrushes, waxwings, and other overwintering birds.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white (fragrant clusters)

Foliage Description

glossy mid-green in summer; yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaychalksandrocky

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

8-12 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade in virtually any well-drained soil — chalk, clay, sand, poor or fertile. Extremely tough, drought-tolerant when established, and pollution-tolerant. The primary concern in PNW landscapes is its invasive status: it spreads freely by bird-dispersed seed into natural areas and has naturalized extensively in Washington and Oregon, impacting native vegetation. On properties adjacent to natural areas, meadows, or riparian corridors, planting common hawthorn is not recommended. Where grown, remove seedlings promptly as they appear. Fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) is an occasional disease: watch for blackened, shepherd's-crook-bent shoot tips in spring; remove 12 inches (30 cm) below visible symptoms with sterilized tools. Dense thorns require thick gloves for any pruning work.

Pruning

The most practical use is as a formal or informal hedge — common hawthorn can be clipped hard in late summer (August) after nesting season to maintain a dense, impenetrable barrier. For specimen trees, prune in late winter (February through March); remove dead or crossing branches. When used as a hedge, clip in late July through August to preserve flowers and berries while avoiding the nesting season (March through July). The dense thorny growth regrows vigorously after hard clipping. Always wear thick gloves and long sleeves.

Pruning Schedule

summerearly spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic