Washington Hawthorn (Crataegus Phaenopyrum) – 3 Gallon Pot

One of if not the showiest of all North American native trees, the Washington Hawthorn puts on a spectacular color show in three seasons. In mid to late spring abundant clusters of fragrant, very pretty white flowers resembling apple blossoms nearly cover the tree. Following the flowers are an equal abundance of brilliant, glossy red berries the birds and other wildlife will immensely appreciate. Leaves emerge reddish-purple in spring turning to dark green and finally to orange, scarlet and purple in fall. Trunk bark is silvery-gray and scaly and twigs are are a flaky, red-brown. At 30 feet tall and 25 feet wide, the Washington Hawthorne is a good fit for mid-size and back or front yard landscapes. This is one tree you’ll always look forward to seeing in bloom and berry!

It is said that American legend Paul Bunyan used the Washington Hawthorn’s thorned branches as a back scratcher.

This plant provides nectar for pollinators and is a larval host plant for Gray Hairstreak, Red-spotted Purple and Viceroy butterflies. Hummingbirds and butterflies feed on nectar from the flowers. Songbirds, cedar waxwings, quail, wild turkeys and small mammals love the red berries.