Rosaceae
Midland Hawthorn: Edible Plant
Crataegus laevigata
Grows best in full sun to light shade and tolerates most soils, including heavy clay. Drought tolerant once established, it needs little care beyond an occasional prune after flowering.
Every 14 days
Bright indirect
-18° - 35°C
% - %
Categories
What is Midland Hawthorn?
Midland Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) is a easy-care plant from the Rosaceae family. The Midland hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) is a thorny, deciduous tree or shrub native to European woodlands. It is prized for its fragrant white blossom in spring, its clusters of red haws in autumn, and its long history in European folklore, where it is known simply as "the May tree". It grows 3-8...
Midland Hawthorn grows up to 8.0m, spread of 800cm, watering every 14 days, -18°C – 35°C. It is not suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Midland Hawthorn tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Midland Hawthorn is safe to keep around pets.
How to Care for Midland Hawthorn?
TLDR: Midland Hawthorn needs Bright indirect, watering every 14 days, and temperatures between -18-35°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Midland Hawthorn?
Keep the soil moist for the first year after planting; once established, water only during prolonged drought.
How Much Light Does Midland Hawthorn Need?
Thrives in full sun for the best flowering and fruit display, but tolerates partial or dappled shade.
What Is the Best Soil for Midland Hawthorn?
Adapts to sandy, clay, chalky and loamy soils as long as drainage is reasonable; tolerates acidic to alkaline pH.
What Pot Should You Use for Midland Hawthorn?
Best grown in open ground; if potted while young, use a large, well-draining terracotta or wooden container with generous drainage holes.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 365 days
What Is Midland Hawthorn and Where Does It Come From?
The Midland hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) is a thorny, deciduous tree or shrub native to European woodlands. It is prized for its fragrant white blossom in spring, its clusters of red haws in autumn, and its long history in European folklore, where it is known simply as "the May tree". It grows 3-8m tall and wide, tolerates poor and clay soils, and is widely planted as a hedging and specimen tree.
How to Propagate Midland Hawthorn?
Growing from seed
Hawthorn seed has a notoriously tough double dormancy, so many growers simply sow ripe haws outdoors in autumn and let winter do the stratification naturally over one or two years.
- 1 Collect ripe haws in autumn and remove the pulp from the seeds
- 2 Give seeds a warm stratification of about 3 months at around 15C
- 3 Follow with a cold stratification of about 3 months at around 4C
- 4 Sow in free-draining compost outdoors or in a cold frame
- 5 Keep soil moist and be patient, as germination can take a full year or more
Materials needed:
Grafting onto rootstock
Grafting is the preferred method for named ornamental cultivars, since seedlings do not come true and take many years to flower.
- 1 Select dormant, healthy scion wood from the desired variety in winter
- 2 Use whip-and-tongue or chip-budding technique onto Crataegus monogyna rootstock
- 3 Bind and wax the graft union to prevent moisture loss
- 4 Protect grafted plants from frost and wind until the union has healed
Materials needed:
How Big Does Midland Hawthorn Grow?
TLDR: Midland Hawthorn can reach up to 8.0m tall with Medium growth rate.
Max height
8.0m
Spread
8.0m
Growth rate
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Medicinal
Medicinal properties
Edible
Can be consumed
Medicinal Uses
- Cardiotonic support for mild heart conditions
- Used in traditional herbal tinctures for blood pressure and circulation
Culinary Uses
- Ripe haws made into jelly, syrup, or wine
- Young leaves and flower buds eaten in salads ("bread and cheese")
- Roasted seeds used as a coffee substitute
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Midland Hawthorn?
TLDR: Midland Hawthorn is susceptible to 5 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease caused by various fungi species including Erysiphe, Podosphaera, Oïdium, and Leveillula. It affects over 10,000 plant species worldwide. The disease thrives in warm, dry climates with high humidity and appears as a distinctive white powdery coating on plant surfaces.
Rust
Rust is a common fungal disease caused by fungi in the order Pucciniales that affects a wide variety of plants. The disease gets its name from the characteristic orange, yellow, or reddish-brown pustules that appear on leaves, resembling metal rust. This obligate fungal parasite requires living plants to survive and can cause significant economic losses in agricultural crops.
Leaf Spot
Leaf spot is a common fungal disease caused by various pathogens including Alternaria, Ascochyta, Colletotrichum, Septoria, and Venturia. It primarily affects leaves, causing discolored spots that can lead to premature leaf drop if left untreated.
Fire Blight
Fire blight is a highly destructive and contagious bacterial disease caused by Erwinia amylovora. It primarily affects plants in the Rosaceae family, including apple, pear, quince trees, and various ornamental plants. The disease can destroy an entire orchard in a single growing season under ideal conditions, with the bacterium moving approximately 11 inches per week in new growth.
Meaning & Symbolism
A symbol of hope, love and protection in British and Celtic folklore, the hawthorn - once called simply "May" - marks the turn from spring to summer with its fragrant blossom and was believed to be a favorite dwelling of fairies.
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
| Cushion Bush | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
