Crusader Hawthorn

The Crusader Hawthorn, 'Crataegus crusgalli "Crusader', is small tree that produces an abundance of beautiful white flowers in the spring!

The Crusader is a very hardy tree that produces white flowers that look like tiny white balls.  When they open they have five snow-white petals set around slender stamens with bright pink heads!

The flowers are followed by shiny dark red berries that hang on long-stalked bunches and persist into winter. Birds and other creatures love to eat the berries and help propagation by dropping the seeds wherever they go.

The common name for hawthorne comes from haw, which is an old English word for "hedge”, so the name simply means "thorny hedge”.

This thornless Hawthorn has glossy green foliage and displays brilliant maroon colors in the fall.  The branches are arranged in a pleasing layered habit and have striking silver gray bark.    

The Crusader Hawthorn is tolerant to shearing which makes this an excellent barrier or large hedge plant.  Being disease resistant, this tree is tolerant to tough urban conditions and pollution.  Use this thornless tree for both street and lawn plantings.

This hawthorn will grow in most soils, including alkaline, in sun or partial shade.  Hawthorne does not have a large root system and will not drain the soil of nutrients!

* Food for wildlife

* Pollution tolerant

* Brilliant fall color