Schrader's Hawthorn Crataegus schraderiana

👤 Non-toxic to humans
🐾 Non-toxic to pets
🌸 Blooming
🍪 Edible
‍🌱 Easy-care
blue hawthorn

ABOUT

Crataegus schraderiana, commonly known as the Greek hawthorn, is a deciduous plant that showcases a dense and rounded habit of growth, with branches that might be adorned with sharp thorns. During its blooming period, it produces clusters of small, white flowers that are attractive and fragrant, drawing in a variety of pollinators like bees. As the seasons progress, these flowers give way to small, berry-like fruits, typically red or sometimes black, which are popular with birds and other wildlife. The leaves of the Greek hawthorn are deeply lobed and have a toothed margin, displaying a rich green hue which often turns to shades of yellow, red, or orange during the fall, providing seasonal interest as they transition with the changing weather. The bark of this plant is generally rough and textured, adding character to the overall visual aesthetic of the plant throughout the year.

Plant Info
Care
Common Problems

About this plant

  • memoNames

    • Family

      Rosaceae

    • Synonyms

      Schrader's Hawthorn, Turkish Hawthorn

    • Common names

      Crataegus schraderiana.

  • skullToxicity

    • To humans

      Crataegus schraderiana, commonly known as hawthorn, is not typically considered toxic to humans. In fact, hawthorn berries, leaves, and flowers are used in traditional medicine for various heart-related conditions. However, like with any plant, individual allergies and sensitivities can occur, and excessive consumption may cause digestive discomfort, nausea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms due to the presence of certain compounds within the plant. It is always advisable to consume hawthorn preparations in moderation and under the guidance of a healthcare provider to avoid adverse effects.

    • To pets

      Crataegus schraderiana, commonly known as hawthorn, is generally safe and not considered toxic to pets including cats and dogs. The berries, leaves, and flowers have been used in natural remedies for their potential cardiac benefits. Though not poisonous, pets may experience mild stomach upset if they consume a large amount of hawthorn plant material due to the fiber and natural compounds it contains. As with any non-food item, if a pet ingests a large quantity of hawthorn, monitoring for gastrointestinal distress or unusual behavior is advised, and a veterinarian should be consulted if any worrying symptoms appear.

  • infoCharacteristics

    • Life cycle

      Perennials

    • Foliage type

      Deciduous

    • Color of leaves

      Green

    • Flower color

      White

    • Height

      15 feet (4.57 meters)

    • Spread

      15 feet (4.57 meters)

    • Plant type

      Tree

    • Hardiness zones

      5

    • Native area

      Southeastern Europe

Benefits

  • money-bagGeneral Benefits

    • Landscape Aesthetics: The Crataegus schraderiana, commonly known as the Midland Hawthorn, offers ornamental value to landscapes through its attractive flowers, foliage, and branching structure.
    • Wildlife Support: It provides food and habitat for a variety of wildlife species, including birds that feed on its berries and insects that are attracted by its flowers.
    • Seasonal Interest: The Midland Hawthorn offers visual interest throughout the year with its spring blossoms, summer greenery, autumn colored leaves, and winter berries.
    • Low Maintenance: This plant tends to be resilient and can thrive with minimal care once established, making it a suitable choice for low-maintenance gardens.
    • Durability: Crataegus schraderiana is known for being hardy and capable of withstanding a range of challenging conditions such as poor soils, drought, and air pollution.
    • Erosion Control: Its root system helps stabilize the soil, making it a good candidate for erosion control on slopes and in areas susceptible to soil loss.
    • Privacy and Boundary: Can be used as a hedge or screen, providing privacy and marking property boundaries effectively.

  • medicalMedical Properties

    • Cardiotonic - Traditionally used to support heart health.
    • Antiarrhythmic - May help in regulating heartbeats.
    • Antihypertensive - Might assist in lowering high blood pressure.
    • Vasodilatory - Could help in widening blood vessels, improving circulation.
    • Antioxidant - Possesses compounds that may protect against oxidative stress.
    • Anti-inflammatory - May reduce inflammation in the body.

  • windAir-purifying Qualities

    This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

  • leavesOther Uses

    • Floral arrangements: The branches of the Crataegus schraderiana, often referred to as the Midland hawthorn, are sometimes used in floral decorations due to their attractive blossoms and Hawthorn berries.

    • Hedge plants: Due to their dense growth, Midland hawthorns can be incorporated into hedgerows for privacy or as windbreaks in gardens and agricultural landscapes.

    • Woodcrafts: The wood from Midland hawthorn is tough and fine-grained, making it suitable for crafting small wooden items, such as handles for tools and turned objects.

    • Wildlife habitat: These plants provide shelter and nesting sites for birds, as well as a food source with their berries and flowers for various insects.

    • Erosion control: The Midland hawthorn's extensive root system can help stabilize soil on slopes and riverbanks, preventing erosion.

    • Festive decorations: During certain festivals, branches laden with hawthorn berries and blooms may be used as a symbol of spring or for adding a natural touch to seasonal decor.

    • Dye production: The berries of Midland hawthorn can be used to produce natural dyes for fabrics with a range of colors depending on the mordant used.

    • Photography subjects: Due to its picturesque flowers and fruit, the Midland hawthorn is often used by photographers as a subject for nature photography, particularly in the spring.

    • Traditional crafts: Hawthorn wood can be used in traditional carving or whittling practices, keeping cultural craft techniques alive.

    • Education and conservation: Midland hawthorns can be used in educational settings to teach about plant biology, conservation, and the importance of biodiversity.

Interesting Facts

  • bedFeng Shui

    The Hawthorn is not used in Feng Shui practice.

  • aquariusZodiac Sign Compitability

    The Hawthorn is not used in astrology practice.

  • spiralPlant Symbolism

    • Hope: Crataegus schraderiana, commonly known as Hawthorn, has been associated with hope as it blooms with bright flowers even in harsh conditions, symbolizing the idea that hope can persevere.
    • Protection: Historically, Hawthorn trees were planted near homes to act as a protective barrier due to their dense and thorny nature.
    • Happiness: The blossoms of the Hawthorn are often seen as a sign of happiness, signaling the arrival of spring and the joy of new beginnings.
    • Love: In some traditions, Hawthorn flowers are linked to love and marriage, possibly because of their association with the heart and its use in herbal remedies for heart health.
    • Cleansing: The plant has also symbolized purification and was used in certain cultures to cleanse the air and sacred spaces.

💧
Every 1-2 weeks
Water
☀️
2500 - 10000 Lux
Light
💦️
6%
Humidity
🪴
Every 2-3 years
Repotting
🌱️
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation
✂️️
As needed
Pruning
  • water dropWater

    The Crataegus schraderiana, commonly known as the Turkish hawthorn, requires watering that keeps the soil consistently moist but not soggy. During its growing season in spring and summer, you should water the plant about once a week with approximately 1-2 gallons, depending on the size and specific conditions such as heat and humidity. In fall and winter, reduce watering to every other week, ensuring the top layer of soil has dried out before watering again. Always check the soil moisture level prior to watering to prevent overwatering.

  • sunLight

    The Turkish hawthorn thrives in full sun to partial shade. It is best positioned in a spot where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, though it can tolerate some afternoon shade. This light exposure ensures healthy growth and abundant flowering.

  • thermometerTemperature

    The Turkish hawthorn can withstand a wide range of temperatures, from well below freezing in winter to hot summer heat. However, it grows best in an environment with temperatures ranging between 50°F and 80°F. It is hardy and can survive in temperatures as low as -20°F and as high as 100°F.

  • scissorsPruning

    The Turkish hawthorn benefits from pruning to maintain its shape and promote more vigorous growth. It is best to prune in the late winter or early spring before the plant breaks dormancy. Thinning out crowded branches and cutting back any dead or diseased wood annually keeps the hawthorn healthy and attractive. The pruning frequency often depends on the desired shape and size of the plant.

  • broomCleaning

    As needed

  • bambooSoil

    Hawberries prefer well-draining soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. A mix of loam, sand, and compost works best, ensuring optimal drainage and fertility for healthy growth.

  • plantRepotting

    Hawberries do not need frequent repotting and can be repotted every 2 to 3 years to refresh the soil or accommodate root growth.

  • water dropsHumidity & Misting

    Hawberries tolerate a wide range of humidity levels but prefer moderate humidity, without the need for any special humidity adjustments in most climates.

  • pinSuitable locations

    • Indoor

      Grow hawberries in bright light, cooler temps, and in a well-draining soil mix.

    • Outdoor

      Plant in full sun to partial shade, in well-draining soil, and water regularly.

    • Hardiness zone

      5-9 USDA

  • circleLife cycle

    Crataegus schraderiana, commonly known as the Black Hawthorn, begins its life cycle with seed germination, which requires stratification to break dormancy. Upon germination, the seedling develops a root system and shoots which will grow into a small thorny shrub. As it matures, the Black Hawthorn enters a vegetative stage characterized by the growth of serrated leaves and woody stems. Flowering follows, with the plant producing clusters of white flowers that are crucial for pollination by insects. After successful pollination, the flowers develop into small dark-colored berries known as haws, which are dispersed by animals, thus promoting seed spread and enabling a new generation of plants to begin the cycle. Over time, the Black Hawthorn reaches full maturity and can live for many years, continuously repeating the flowering and fruiting cycles.

  • sproutPropogation

    • Propogation time

      Spring-Early Summer

    • The most popular method for propagating Hawthorn (Crataegus schraderiana) is through seed sowing. Seed collection should ideally occur in autumn when the berries are ripe and can be readily harvested. Once collected, the seeds require cold stratification for improved germination. This process simulates natural winter conditions that the seeds would experience in the wild. It involves mixing the seeds with slightly moist sand and storing them in a refrigerator at 34-40 degrees Fahrenheit (1-4 degrees Celsius) for approximately 2-3 months. After stratification, seeds can be sown in a well-draining soil mix, covering them with around a quarter-inch (about 6 millimeters) of soil. Seeds typically germinate in the spring as temperatures rise, though patience is required as hawthorn seeds can sometimes take more than one season to sprout.