Top Hawthorn Trees for Colour, Wildlife, and Year-Round Interest
- Kerri Cuthbert
- Mar 31
- 6 min read
Looking for a tree that brings charm, seasonal interest, and supports local wildlife? Hawthorn trees (Crataegus) are a standout choice in British gardens. With their vibrant spring blossom, colourful autumn berries, and hardy nature, hawthorns are both ornamental and practical.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the top hawthorn tree varieties available in the UK, highlighting their key features, best uses, and planting tips. Whether you're creating a wildlife-friendly garden or simply want a splash of colour, there’s a hawthorn to suit every outdoor space.
Why Choose a Hawthorn Tree?
Beautiful Blossom: From delicate white to rich pink and crimson, hawthorns bloom profusely in late spring.
Autumn Colour: Many varieties offer fiery foliage in autumn and eye-catching berries.
Wildlife-Friendly: Bees flock to their flowers, and birds feast on their berries. The dense branches also provide shelter.
Hardy and Resilient: Well-suited to the British climate and tolerant of urban pollution.
Low Maintenance: Once established, hawthorns require minimal care.
Top Varieties of Hawthorn Trees
Crataegus laevigata 'Paul's Scarlet' | Crimson Hawthorn Tree
A classic ornamental hawthorn variety, 'Paul's Scarlet' is famous for its double deep-pink to crimson flowers that bloom profusely in late spring. This small deciduous tree is a long-time favourite in British gardens for its bold floral display and traditional character. It occasionally produces small red haws in autumn.
Key Features:
Striking crimson double flowers
Compact and rounded shape
Tolerant of urban conditions
Ideal For:
Cottage gardens
Urban planting
Traditional landscapes
Mature Height & Spread: 5-6m x 4-5m
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained
Crataegus × lavalleei ‘Carrierei’ | Carrierei Hawthorn Tree
A small, rounded deciduous tree known for its year-round interest. In May, it produces clusters of creamy-white flowers, followed by large, long-lasting orange-red fruits that persist into winter. The glossy green leaves take on copper and red tones in autumn.
Key Features:
Nearly thornless
Glossy, semi-evergreen foliage
Long-lasting ornamental fruit
Ideal For:
Urban gardens
Wildlife-friendly spaces
Winter interest
Mature Height & Spread: 6–8m x 4–6m
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained, most soil types
Crataegus succulenta ‘Jubilee’ | Hawthorn
An ornamental and compact hawthorn known for its abundant red fruit and white spring blossom. 'Jubilee' is ideal for attracting birds and adds great wildlife value to smaller gardens.
Key Features:
Heavy crops of bright red berries
Excellent wildlife value
Tolerant and easy to grow
Ideal For:
Wildlife gardens
Autumn and winter interest
Smaller outdoor spaces
Mature Height & Spread: 4-6m x 3-4m
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
Crataegus laevigata 'Crimson Cloud' | Hawthorn Tree
This upright, compact tree is prized for its deep crimson flowers with distinctive white centres. Flowering in late spring, it's followed by small red fruits. It offers a neat, rounded shape, making it ideal for smaller spaces.
Key Features:
Deep crimson flowers with white centres
Reliable bloomer
Compact form
Ideal For:
Small gardens
Colourful focal points
Urban settings
Mature Height & Spread: 5-6m x 4m
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
Crataegus x med 'Punicea Flore Pleno' | Flowering Hawthorn Tree
This variety is a true garden showstopper. It produces fully double, rose-like flowers in a vivid shade of pink, appearing in May. The flowers are sterile, so no fruit follows, but the floral display more than makes up for it. Its dense, thorny growth makes it excellent for privacy.
Key Features:
Bright pink double flowers
Dense and thorny – great for hedging
Long flowering period
Ideal For:
Hedging
Formal or traditional gardens
Cottage garden schemes
Mature Height & Spread: 4–6m x 3–5m
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soils
Crataegus monogyna ‘Stricta’ | Upright Hawthorn
A narrow, upright form of the native common hawthorn, perfect for tighter spaces or formal hedging. It blooms with white flowers in spring and produces red haws in autumn, making it excellent for wildlife.
Key Features:
Columnar growth habit
Native species benefits
Excellent for structure and hedging
Ideal For:
Hedging
Formal avenues
Small urban gardens
Mature Height & Spread: 5–7m x 2–3m
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Versatile, well-drained
Crataegus x media ‘Punicea’ (Fuchsia Pink) | Hawthorn
A single-flowered variety producing bright pink blooms with greater appeal to pollinators compared to double forms. It may also bear small red fruits.
Key Features:
Single pink flowers
Some fruit production
Wildlife-friendly
Ideal For:
Pollinator gardens
Naturalistic planting
Informal hedging
Mature Height & Spread: 5–6m x 4m
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
Crataegus x media ‘Plena’ | Hawthorn
This charming variety features fully double white flowers in late spring. Although it is fruitless due to its sterile flowers, its tidy form and attractive blossom make it an excellent ornamental choice.
Key Features:
Fully double white flowers
Dense, tidy structure
Low fruit drop (sterile)
Ideal For:
Decorative planting
Formal or traditional gardens
Areas where fruit is not desired
Mature Height & Spread: 4–6m x 4m
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Moist, well-drained
Crataegus x dippeliana | Hawthorn
A rarer hybrid hawthorn with ornamental qualities. It produces clusters of white flowers in spring followed by reddish-orange fruits, along with rich green foliage that turns golden in autumn.
Key Features:
Rare ornamental hybrid
White flowers and orange-red fruits
Autumn foliage colour
Ideal For:
Tree collections
Unique specimen planting
Botanical interest
Mature Height & Spread: 5–7m x 4–5m
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
How to Choose the Right Hawthorn Tree
Consider the following when selecting your tree:
Garden Size: Choose columnar or compact forms like ‘Crimson Cloud’, ‘Stricta’, or ‘Jubilee’ for smaller gardens or tighter spaces.
Desired Features: Looking for bold blossom? Try ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ or ‘Punicea Flore Pleno’ for vibrant double flowers. Prefer fruit for birds and wildlife? Go for ‘Carrierei’, ‘Jubilee’, or the single-flowered ‘Punicea’.
Purpose: Hedging, focal points, or screening? ‘Stricta’ is excellent for narrow hedging or formal avenues, while ‘Punicea Flore Pleno’ works well for ornamental boundaries.
See our full range of trees for small gardens
Hawthorn Tree Care Tips
Planting Time: Bare root trees should be planted from late autumn to early spring. Container-grown trees can be planted any time of year.
Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Best done in winter to shape and remove any dead or damaged branches.
Feeding: Add mulch and a slow-release fertiliser in early spring if needed.
Watering: Water regularly during the first year after planting, especially in dry spells.
FAQs
Are hawthorn trees native to the UK?
Yes, Crataegus monogyna (common hawthorn) is native to the UK and is a familiar sight in hedgerows, woodlands, and native planting schemes. It's highly valued for its ecological benefits, supporting a wide range of wildlife including pollinators, birds, and small mammals.
However, not all hawthorn species are native. Many ornamental varieties, such as Crataegus laevigata cultivars (including 'Paul’s Scarlet') and hybrids like Crataegus × lavalleei or Crataegus succulenta ‘Jubilee’, are non-native or cultivated hybrids. While they still offer great visual appeal and some wildlife value, native hawthorn remains the best option for biodiversity and traditional landscapes.
Do hawthorn trees attract wildlife?
Can I plant hawthorn trees near my house?
When do hawthorn trees flower?
Do all hawthorn trees produce berries?
How tall do hawthorn trees grow?
With a wide range of colours, forms, and benefits, hawthorn trees are a brilliant addition to any British outdoor space. Whether you’re planting for pollinators, adding seasonal interest, or looking for a low-maintenance tree with a big impact, hawthorns deliver on all fronts.
Explore our full hawthorn collection today or get in touch for tailored planting advice.
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