Decorative hawthorn species

Parks and squares of Central Europe and Russia are often decorated with hedges and decorative hawthorn figures.Worldwide, there are about 1,000 different types of hawthorn. Of these, about 40 varieties grow in Russia. This is a very beautiful and unpretentious plant, but it feels most comfortable in temperate climates. Especially good hawthorn in its flowering period, accompanied by a delicate aroma. The fruits of this plant are known for their taste and healing qualities.

The scientific name of the hawthorn - Crataegus (translated as "strong"). This name characterizes this plant very precisely. Everything is strong in it: the root system, which allows water to be extracted at great depth, wood and thorns. In the past, the latter even performed the function of nails that hit shoes. At first, the spines are weak, like young shoots, but gradually they change color from green to brown and harden.

The spines of an ornamental hawthorn, located in artificial plantings, usually grow up to 2-3 cm in length. In some plant species, they can grow up to 9 cm. In a decorative form, the hawthorn has the shape of a bush and usually does not reach more than 2-3 meters in height. In the wild, there are trees that have reached 5 or even 7 meters.

Hawthorn begins to bloom in late spring or early summer, depending on the climatic zone. It blooms for about 2 months. Depending on the variety, the flowers can be pale pink, almost white, dark crimson or even purple-red. Flowers with stamens and dust particles are relatively small in size. Their diameter usually does not exceed 3 cm. But due to the fact that they are collected in inflorescences, the plant has a very beautiful appearance, and its flowering is abundant.

In autumn, hawthorn ripen fruits that are eaten. Different varieties have different fruit shape. Some species have large fruits of a regular round shape, and some plants are distinguished by not too large fruits of an elongated pear shape. The color of the berries can also be different. Depending on the variety, they can be yellow, orange, bright red, as well as purple and even black. Please note that hawthorn starts to bear fruit not immediately (8-10 years after planting).

From hawthorn make various drugs, the effect of which depends on the dosage. In small quantities, hawthorn tincture acts as a tonic and anesthetic.

Landscape design specialists divide all varieties of decorative hawthorn into two groups: Eurasian and North American species. The first group is characterized by dissected leaves. The spines of such plants are very small or absent altogether. The second group is distinguished by leaves of solid form, without cuts, with large and solid spines. Varieties of the second type are most often used for decoration.

Consider some types of decorative hawthorn, which are considered the most suitable for decorating park areas.

• Almaty grade. This tree or shrub with a wide crown, shaped like a tent. The spines are small, sometimes absent altogether. The leaves are whole, have an oval shape. White flowers are collected in inflorescences. The fruits are round, slightly crushed on the sides, dark red in color, about 1.3 cm. The plant blooms in June, the fruits appear in September.
• Fan grade. It is also called ordinary or smooth. This tree is rectangular in shape with shoots tending upward, lush crown. The leaves are carved triangular-shaped blades.The plant blooms with small white flowers, and in the fall brings large fruits of bright yellow color. This variety grows very slowly (it adds a height of 20-25 cm per year).

• Dzungarian variety. The tree has a wide sprawling crown, has rare spines. Leaves with sharp edges divided into 5 parts. White flowers are in inflorescences of 5-7 cm. Fruits are spherical, large, shiny, painted in dark red, almost black, have juicy flesh. Sometimes you can see barely noticeable yellow dots on them. This variety blooms in June, and begins to bear fruit in early September.
• Softish (or semi-soft) hawthorn considered one of the favorites among North American varieties. It is easily recognizable by the bright red color of the berries. The tree has a dense spherical crown, which practically does not need to be adjusted. Fruiting the plant begins very late (at 7-8 year after planting in the ground). It blooms white inflorescences, has a 9-centimeter spines.

• Odnosostochkovy grade grows mainly in the Crimea and the Caucasus. The powerful trunk and high altitude make it possible to call this hawthorn variety a tree. It has small spines and carved leaves resembling maple leaves. In the spring, white flowers appear, joined into inflorescences. Fruits appear in early autumn, can have any color from yellow to red-brown. The plant does not tolerate shade, grows best on loamy soil with a certain content of lime, needs constant moistening.
• Peristone-cut hawthorn refers to the shrubs. This variety got its name because of the shape of the leaves - in their outlines they resemble feathers with notched edges, divided into three parts. Spines thick and short. The first flowers appear in May. They have a white color with a pinkish edging. Fruits have bright red color, cast by gloss. Harvest can begin to collect in August.

• Five-hawthorn hawthorn. It is also known as a five-column. The leaves have a fuzzy surface and a disheveled shape. The flowers of this variety are bisexual, have 5 petals and 5 columns (hence the name) in white. Fruits are dark brown and round, with bright red flesh. The peculiarity of this variety is that it eats not only berries, but also flowers.
• Pink common hawthorn looks like a low tree with a thick egg-shaped crown. The wood has a light gray, almost white color. The leaves are divided into lobes. The plant propagates by seeds, begins to bear fruit on the 8th year of planting. Flowers may be pink or white with pink stamens. The berries have a round, slightly elongated shape. Outside, the berries are dark red, and inside - yellow. The fruits have a sweet, slightly astringent taste, rich in pectin.

• Siberian hawthorn also known as blood red. It occurs mainly in Siberia and Central Asia. The plant is unpretentious and frost-resistant. Siberian hawthorn does not like excessive moisture, but it feels great on rocky and sandy soils. The bark and branches have a brown-red color. The leaves are diamond-shaped, divided into lobes. The flowers are white and dark red stamens. The tree grows very slowly, and the harvest has to wait at least 10 years. The berries have a rounded, elongated shape. This variety begins to bear fruit late - in late September or in October.

• Songar variety known by several names (Fisher, Dzungarian).Thin branches of the plant have a cherry blossom. The thorns are distinguished by a density of about 1.5 cm. Wide toothed leaves are divided into parts. In May, the first white flowers appear, publishing a delicate scent. Fruits appear in the middle of autumn. Berries are black, with a reddish tinge. The plant loves moderate watering (no more than twice a month).
• Point hawthorn. It is a tree with a hanging crown, whole leaves and gray-brown bark with an orange bloom. Thorns are strong and long. Inflorescences consist of 12-15 white flowers 2 cm in diameter. The fruits ripen clusters, have a dark red color with small bright patches.

One of the advantages of hawthorn is that it can adapt to almost any climate and any soil. Trees can withstand the scorching sun and marshland. However, with a lack of heat and light hawthorn shrubs do not bloom and do not bear fruit. This is especially true for shade-loving varieties (they have a darker leaf color). This should be considered when creating a decorative landing.

In the open ground shrubs planted at the age of two. With a landing site better to decide immediately. Hawthorn has very long roots, so a transplant is best done at a young age (up to five years). For planting hawthorn clay soils with good drainage are best suited.

First, they prepare a planting pit about 1 m deep. Lime is poured into it so that the roots of the trees do not come into contact with it. Then drainage is filled up with a layer of 10-15 cm. It can be small pebbles, crushed stone or fragments of broken brick. Then add a mixture of sand, peat, flour and humus. It serves as a fertilizer for the plant. Then you can start landing. After this should be abundantly water the seedling.

There are many options for decorative landing hawthorn. We list some of them.

• For zoning land. With the help of such a hedge, one can differentiate, for example, a recreation area and a vegetable garden or designate the boundary between one’s own and a neighboring plot.
• Interesting forms. Individual trees and shrubs can be cut in a special way, giving them a bizarre shape (for example, a ball or a cube).
• Decorative wall. After spring pruning, young shoots appear that can be intertwined with each other, giving them the shape of a solid hedge. With a little practice, you can create interesting green designs that look much better than a boring, even brick.

• Blooming fence. EIf you plant a hawthorn around the perimeter of the lawn, its flowers will harmonize well with the green lawn.
• Mix. Hawthorn with inserts from other plants looks very picturesque. You can also use the principle of multi-tiered plantings and plant small rose bushes under tall trees, and place daisies or berries under them.
• Corner plantations. Hawthorn can be planted in the corners of the plot. The remaining places can be decorated with other plants.

To make the easiest fence of plants, you must first mark the territory with a stretched rope. Then along it you need to dig a trench about a meter wide. Seedlings are best planted in a staggered manner at a distance of 50 cm from each other. It is better to start all new plantings in the spring, so that over the summer the plants will get stronger and have a good winter.

In order for the decorative hawthorn to delight the eye with its picturesque crown, and the stomach with its tasty harvest, it is advisable to study some features of the variety that is chosen for planting. We present several general recommendations that are relevant for all types of hawthorn.

• The plant is considered shade-tolerant, but living garden compositions are best planted in well-lit places.
• Hawthorn feels better in well-sifted soil. Once a year you should dig the ground around the tree at a depth of about 25 cm. You should not dig deeper - you can damage the roots.
• At any age, the plant does not tolerate an acidic environment. It is best suited for hawthorn alkaline substance. If the composition of the soil is different, it can be modified with your own hands, watering young saplings with a solution containing lime, wood ash, crushed chalk and other components.
• Different varieties require watering with different intensity. However, at the stage of bud formation, watering should be increased even for the most drought-resistant varieties. This will increase their yield.
• Hawthorn does not need frequent fertilizers. It is enough to “feed” the plant with minerals in early spring, and after 3 months add organic fertilizer to the soil.

For information on how to grow hawthorn, see the next video.