Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

ShrubsTrees

Crataegus × media

A large shrub or small tree with thorny branches and glossy, lobed leaves. Clusters of white flowers in spring are followed by red fruits

Synonyms

Crataegus flexilis

Save to My plants

Ultimate height

4–8 metres

Time to ultimate height

20–50 years

Ultimate spread

4–8 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

North–facing or South–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Seeds contain toxins so these should be removed if you are considering eating the fruit, usually grown as an ornamental shrub Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Crataegus are deciduous trees and shrubs, usually with spiny branches, lobed or toothed leaves, and clusters of creamy-white flowers followed by red or black fruits. Some have fine autumn colour
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in full sun in any soil that is not waterlogged

Propagation

Propagate by seed or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars and gall mites

Diseases

Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to a leaf spot, fireblight and honey fungus

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.