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Trees

Crataegus monogyna 'Ferox'

hawthorn 'Ferox'

A large shrub or small tree, up to 8m high, with lobed leaves and creamy-white scented flowers in late spring or early summer, followed by red fruits in autumn. It differs from the species in having clusters of thorns at the stem nodes; vigorous juvenile shoots, particularly after hard pruning, can appear like lengths of barbed wire

Synonyms

Crataegus monogyna 'Horrida'
Crataegus monogyna 'Spinosissima'

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Ultimate height

4–8 metres

Time to ultimate height

20–50 years

Ultimate spread

4–8 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Spreading branched
Potentially harmful: Seeds contain toxins so these should be removed if you are considering eating the fruit, usually grown as an ornamental shrub Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Crataegus are deciduous trees and shrubs, usually with spiny branches, lobed or toothed leaves, and clusters of creamy-white flowers followed by red or black fruits. Some have fine autumn colour
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any (not waterlogged) soil in full sun or part shade. Useful specimen trees for town, coastal or exposed gardens. See hawthorn cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by grafting, using scion wood of the previous season's growth, onto rootstocks of Crataegus laevigata or C. monogyna

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Coastal
Wildlife gardens
Hedging and screens
Edible fruit

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars, aphids and gall mites

Diseases

May be susceptible to fireblight, honey fungus, crown gall, silver leaf, Powdery mildews and leaf spots

Get involved

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