Crataegus laevigata
ENGLISH HAWTHORN
SKU: 885-5
Description
Crataegus laevigata, known as the midland hawthorn, English hawthorn, woodland hawthorn or mayflower, is a species of hawthorn native to western and central Europe, from Great Britain (where it is typically found in ancient woodland and old hedgerows) and Spain east to the Czech Republic and Hungary. It is also present in North Africa. The species name is sometimes spelt C. levigata, but the original orthography is C. lævigata. It is distinguished from the closely related common hawthorn, C. monogyna, in the leaves being only shallowly lobed, with forward-pointing lobes, and in the flowers having more than one style. Each style produces a seed, so its fruits also have more than one seed and these make them slightly oval, in contrast with the single-seeded and therefore round fruits of common hawthorn.
These plants are sometimes used for bonsai, though they can be grown as a regular full-sized tree. If growing as a Bonsai, we are offering our Bonsai growing instruction booklet as an option with your seeds. It contains full-colour images and detailed information about germinating, growing, pruning and potting your new bonsai! It is the same booklet that is offered in our bonsai kit.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
Location: Sun or part sun
Seeds per pack: 5
Germination: Start these seeds indoors right away for best germination rates. Soak the seeds for 12 hours before planting. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a seed-start mix, and water in. First keep them at room temperature for 4 months. This helps break the phytohormones which inhibit germination. Then cover them with plastic to retain moisture, and then place in a fridge for 4 months. Be sure they stay lightly moist. Then bring them to approximately 21°C, 70°F for germination.
Description
Crataegus laevigata, known as the midland hawthorn, English hawthorn, woodland hawthorn or mayflower, is a species of hawthorn native to western and central Europe, from Great Britain (where it is typically found in ancient woodland and old hedgerows) and Spain east to the Czech Republic and Hungary. It is also present in North Africa. The species name is sometimes spelt C. levigata, but the original orthography is C. lævigata. It is distinguished from the closely related common hawthorn, C. monogyna, in the leaves being only shallowly lobed, with forward-pointing lobes, and in the flowers having more than one style. Each style produces a seed, so its fruits also have more than one seed and these make them slightly oval, in contrast with the single-seeded and therefore round fruits of common hawthorn.
These plants are sometimes used for bonsai, though they can be grown as a regular full-sized tree. If growing as a Bonsai, we are offering our Bonsai growing instruction booklet as an option with your seeds. It contains full-colour images and detailed information about germinating, growing, pruning and potting your new bonsai! It is the same booklet that is offered in our bonsai kit.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
Location: Sun or part sun
Seeds per pack: 5
Germination: Start these seeds indoors right away for best germination rates. Soak the seeds for 12 hours before planting. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a seed-start mix, and water in. First keep them at room temperature for 4 months. This helps break the phytohormones which inhibit germination. Then cover them with plastic to retain moisture, and then place in a fridge for 4 months. Be sure they stay lightly moist. Then bring them to approximately 21°C, 70°F for germination.
