Maintenance Landscaping Design

Hawthorn bushes is a flowering plant that belongs to the rose family. It is a deciduous shrub that is native to Europe, Asia and North America. The plant is characterized by its small, white flowers that bloom in the springtime. The hawthorn bush has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its purported medicinal properties.

Popular name

• English hawthorn
  
• Common hawthorn
  
• Mayhaw
  
• Whitethorn
  
• Quickthorn

Good to Know

• Hawthorn bushes are native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
  
• They are deciduous shrubs or small trees, typically growing to 5–15 m (16–49 ft) tall.
  
• The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, and lobed or serrated on the edges.
  
• The flowers are borne in clusters of 3-5 and are white or pinkish in color.
  
• The fruit is a small, red, berry-like drupe.
  
• Hawthorn bushes are popular ornamental plants, used for hedging, topiary, and as standalone specimens.
  
• They are also used in traditional medicine for their purported cardiovascular benefits.
  
• Hawthorn bushes are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, including aphids, scale, and rust.
  
• Proper care and maintenance is important to keeping these plants healthy.
  
• Hawthorn bushes can live for decades, with some specimens known to be over 100 years old.

Related plant:
Indian Hawthorn Plant

Growing Steps

1. For hawthorn bushes, first step is to find a sunny spot in your yard that has well-drained soil.
   
2. Next, you will need to dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the bush’s root ball.
   
3. Once the hole is dug, place the root ball of the hawthorn bush into it and backfill the hole with soil.
   
4. Next, water the bush deeply to settle the roots into the new soil.
   
5. You will need to continue to water the bush regularly, especially during the first growing season.
   
6. Once the bush is established, you can prune it to shape as desired.
   
7. Hawthorn bushes are generally disease and pest resistant, but if problems do arise, they can be treated with a general purpose insecticide or fungicide.
   
8. Flowering generally occurs in late spring or early summer.
   
9. Fruits will mature in late summer or early fall and can be used for making jams, jellies, or pies.
   
10. Hawthorn bushes can live for many years with proper care, so enjoy them for years to come!

Related plant:
Hawthorn Tree

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, Hawthorn bushes prefer well-drained soils, but they are also quite tolerant of poorer soils including clay. They can even grow in chalky soils. However, they do not like very wet soils. If the soil is too wet, the roots will rot.

Light condition

Similar to other plants, hawthorn bushes need sun to grow. If you want your hawthorn bush to thrive, make sure to plant it in an area that gets plenty of sunlight. Hawthorn bushes can tolerate some shade, but they will produce the most flowers and fruit when they’re grown in full sun.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature must be below freezing for hawthorn bushes to produce the most fruit. During the winter, the plant produces a greater number of fruits per stem than in any other season. The fruits are small, hard, and have a sour taste.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 60% to 80%. The leaves will start to turn brown and curl under if the humidity drops below 60%. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will develop brown spots.

Fertilizing

Discussing fertilizer, usually the plant food that is added to the soil to encourage growth, is not something that most people associate with hawthorn bushes. However, these bushes, like all other plants, need the right amount of nutrients to survive and thrive. The best time to fertilize hawthorn bushes is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. When applying fertilizer, be sure to follow the manufacturer's directions carefully. Overfertilizing can be just as harmful as not fertilizing at all.

Plant Pruning

Pruning is a critical part of caring for hawthorn bushes. By carefully pruning the bush, you can encourage new growth and ensure the health of the plant. When pruning, be sure to remove any dead or diseased branches. Cut back any overgrown branches to encourage new growth. Be sure to make clean, sharp cuts to avoid damaging the plant. With proper care and pruning, hawthorn bushes can thrive for many years.

The Propagation

Propagation is generally done by rooting hardwood cuttings taken from the plant in late fall or early winter. The cuttings should be about 6 inches long and should be taken from new growth that is just beginning to harden off. The cuttings should be placed in a propagation bed or in pots filled with a sterile, soilless potting mix. The pots should be placed in a shady location and the cuttings should be kept moist until they have rooted.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate is between 13 and 24 inches per year. However, some species of hawthorn can grow up to 36 inches per year. The average life span of a hawthorn bush is between 30 and 50 years.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are pests and diseases. Caterpillars, scale insects, and aphids are all pests that can attack hawthorn bushes. These pests can cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop off. Diseases that can affect hawthorn bushes include powdery mildew and leaf spot. These diseases can cause the leaves to turn brown and fall off.

Tips on Growing

• Remember to water your hawthorn bush regularly, especially during the hot summer months.
  
• Fertilize your hawthorn bush every spring to help it grow strong and healthy.
  
• Prune your hawthorn bush annually to promote new growth and keep it looking its best.
  
• Place your hawthorn bush in an area that receives full sun for best results.
  
• Be sure to plant your hawthorn bush in well-draining soil to prevent root rot.
  
• Keep an eye out for pests or diseases that could potentially damage your hawthorn bush.
  
• Harvest the berries from your hawthorn bush in the fall to use in pies, jams, or other recipes.
  
• Cut branches from your hawthorn bush to use in floral arrangements or other decorations.
  
• Protect your hawthorn bush from harsh winter weather by covering it with a tarp or burlap

Alternative Plants

• Mountain ash (Sorbus americana)
  
• European mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia)
  
• Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
  
• Whitebeam (Sorbus aria)
  
• Common service tree (Sorbus domestica)
  
• Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
  
• Chinese sumac (Rhus chinensis)
  
• Japanese sumac (Rhus javanica)
  
• Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina)
  
• Poison ivy (Rhus radicans)

Source:
Hawthorns Provide Fall Color - University of Missouri
Managing Pests in Gardens: Trees and Shrubs: Hawthorn—UC IPM - ucanr.edu
Indian Hawthorn