Redhaw hawthorn (Crataegus erythrocarpa)
Care, watering, light and tips for Redhaw hawthorn on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Rosaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 0–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Redhaw hawthorn
Crataegus erythrocarpa, commonly known as red hawthorn, is a deciduous small tree or shrub from the Rosaceae family, valued for its attractive white flowers in spring and abundant bright red fruits in autumn. Its dark green foliage turns into reddish and orange hues before shedding. It is ideal for hedges, as a specimen plant, or in wildlife gardens, attracting birds with its berries.
Native range
East Asia
Care tips
It thrives in full sun to partial shade, though more sun exposure encourages more abundant flowering and fruiting. It prefers well-drained soils, although it is quite tolerant of different soil types, even poor or clayey ones, as long as they are not waterlogged. Watering should be regular during dry periods, especially in its early years, but once established, it is quite drought-tolerant. Avoid over-fertilizing, as it can promote excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers and fruits.
How to save a dying Redhaw hawthorn
- Warning signs
- Yellowing or browning leaves, small or dropped fruits, weak shoots. Could be water stress or disease.
- First aid
- Check watering (moist but not waterlogged soil). Prune dry or diseased branches. Apply fungicide if leaf spots appear.
- What kills it
- Inadequate watering, lack of sanitary pruning, poor or compacted soils. Susceptible to rust and powdery mildew.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if acted upon promptly. Improve watering and drainage. Nourish the soil. Control pests and diseases preventively.