Carrière Hawthorn
An exceptionally tough and handsome small deciduous tree, Crataegus lavalleei Carrierei is one of the finest ornamental hawthorns for year-round garden interest. Late in Spring, broad flat clusters of creamy-white flowers with prominent pink anthers open profusely against dark, glossy leathery leaves that resemble those of an evergreen. As Summer fades, the foliage turns striking shades of bronze and yellow, while the flowers give way to large, speckled orange-red berries that look like miniature crab apples. These long-lasting fruits persist well into Winter, providing a vital feast for fieldfares, redwings, and blackbirds when other food is scarce. Highly adaptable and virtually trouble-free, it stands up effortlessly to strong winds, coastal air, and city pollution, making it an ideal anchor specimen for exposed sites or compact urban gardens.
Site: Extremely wind-firm; excellent for exposed, windy plots, coastal sites, and urban environments
Soil: Tolerates almost any soil type including heavy clay, chalk, sand, and poor stony ground; prefers good drainage and dislikes waterlogging
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Season of interest: White blossom in late Spring, glossy leathery foliage in Summer, warm bronze-red leaf tones in Autumn, and long-lasting orange-red berries into Winter
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 16-23ft (5-7m) Spread: 13-16ft (4-5m)
Image 1 by VoDeTan2 cropped and licensed under CC-BY-SA-3.0
