Crataegus monogyna Seeds | Common Hawthorn
LATIN NAME: Crataegus monogyna
COMMON NAME: Common Hawthorn, Whitethorn, May Tree
Plant Profile
Among the ornamental and useful plants raised from seed, Common Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) stands out as a deciduous tree in the rose family (Rosaceae). Common hawthorn is one of the most beloved of the hedgerow trees of Europe, and its clouds of white May blossom and its crimson berries have marked fields, hedges and lanes of continent for many centuries. Given room and time, it reaches roughly Ten metres. For the small amount of care it requires, the return is remarkable.
Science & Biotechnology
Seed science, comparative botany and horticultural selection all touch on Crataegus monogyna, a representative of the rose family with clear practical value. Common hawthorn has a genuine and distinguished place in both horticultural and chemical research. The practical point for growers is that this plant has been observed in gardens for so long that its behaviour holds few surprises.
Uses & Benefits
Beyond its ornamental appeal, Common Hawthorn has the practical versatility that makes a plant worth growing from seed year after year. Ecologically, common hawthorn is a generous tree of spring and the autumn. Its economic value is real and historic. For a grower, common hawthorn is an easy and generous tree, and for a gardener it brings clouds of May blossom and a harvest of crimson berries for the birds. A plant that has settled in will get along with only routine care.
Common hawthorn is the classic European heart herb: flower, leaf and berry extracts have clinical-trial support as adjuncts for mild heart weakness, and the May blossom is a symbol of spring itself.
Growing from Seed
Seed is the natural starting point for Common Hawthorn, and the process is uncomplicated. Sow the seed evenly over the surface and cover lightly, using a loose, well-drained seed compost, and keep it just moist in bright light until the seedlings are well up. Prick the seedlings out once they are large enough to handle, grow them on in bright light, and plant out when conditions allow.
Our Take
Reaching ten metres, it needs room to show its full form. Young plants want steady water; older plants take conditions as they come.
Related Reading
If Common Hawthorn appeals to you, these related plants are worth a look: