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CRATAEGUS nitida

Image of Crataegus nitida

Jesse Saylor

Family

Rosaceae

Botanical Name

CRATAEGUS nitida

Plant Common Name

Glossy Hawthorn

General Description

A beautiful, trouble-free hawthorn from the eastern and central United States, this small, broad-crowned, deciduous tree offers year-round ornament. Its dense spreading branches bear narrowly oval, sharply toothed leaves that are lustrous dark green before turning fiery colors in fall. The foliage is largely disease-free. Clusters of numerous small white flowers open in late spring, giving rise to bunches of small spherical fruits that ripen red in early fall. The ripe fruits persist through winter. A presumed hybrid of cockspur hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli) and green hawthorn (C. viridis), this lovely tree is usually free of spines.

Hawthorns succeed in various soils but do best with good drainage and full sun. Use this beautiful tree as an individual specimen, or group it along paths or streets. It may escape gardens by self-sowing.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    7 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    4 - 7

  • Sunset Zone

    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17

  • Plant Type

    Tree

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun

  • Height

    20'-30' / 6.1m - 9.1m

  • Width

    20'-30' / 6.1m - 9.1m

  • Bloom Time

    Spring, Late Spring

  • Native To

    Southeastern United States, Central United States

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Salt

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Spreading

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White

  • Fruit Color

    Red

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Red, Orange

  • Bark Color

    Brown, Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes