Crataegus pinnatifida Seeds | Chinese Hawthorn
LATIN NAME: Crataegus pinnatifida
COMMON NAME: Chinese Hawthorn
Plant Profile
A distinctive member of its genus, Chinese Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) is a deciduous tree. Full sun brings out its best, in deep, fertile ground. At maturity it stands about Fifteen metres. All of this makes Chinese Hawthorn a satisfying plant to grow and to get to know.
Science & Biotechnology
Botanists studying the Crataegus group regularly include Crataegus pinnatifida in comparative work, and the species also appears in horticultural trials aimed at gardeners and growers. The Chinese hawthorn has a real and distinguished place in the research. Modern propagation practice has made this species straightforward to raise by ordinary good methods.
Uses & Benefits
Chinese Hawthorn works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Ecologically, the Chinese hawthorn is a generous tree of the garden. Its clusters of white flowers feed bees and many insects, and its bright, red fruits feed birds and wildlife, while its dense, leafy crown gives a fine cover and a shelter to the birds. It takes hold quickly and asks for no special treatment from then on.
Chinese hawthorn fruit, Shan Zha, is the beloved digestive of Chinese medicine, used after rich meals and in countless children’s remedies, its flavonoids studied for lipid support; it also makes the candied tanghulu of Beijing streets.
Growing from Seed
Chinese Hawthorn grows readily from seed. A simple routine works well: sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly in a loose, well-drained seed compost, maintain even moisture, and provide full sun. The seed responds well to a cool, moist stratification period, which helps it break dormancy evenly. When the young plants are big enough to handle, space them into pots or a nursery row and let them size up before their final move.
Our Take
Once established, Chinese Hawthorn largely looks after itself. A cool, moist period before sowing prepares the seed well; care after that is routine.
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