Biancospino

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Rosaceae

Order

Rosales

Genus

Crataegus

Species

monogyna

Description

Shrub or small deciduous perennial tree with thorns. Suitable for cultivation both in the garden and on terraces where it lends an ornamental accent with its spring blooms followed by the formation of small red drupes. Rustic, it adapts to different soil and growing conditions, including those in urban areas.

Variety description

Native European tree of small size and original habit both as a shrub and later a tree. Free-standing with open rounded crown. Very ornamental due to its abundant spring flowering and colourful berries in autumn. It is hardy and adaptable to various types of soils and growing environments, including urban climates where it has strong resistance to heat and drought. It requires a sunny location and tolerates partly shady areas. Robust tree that develops a medium deep root in the soil and has a good number of secondary roots. Prefers clay and sandy soils, but grows well in all soil types. Tree with excellent botanical and functional performance for various types of landscape use. Reliable for demanding plantings and requires little maintenance. Suitable for parks, gardens, urban avenues, industrial and residential areas. Due to its small size, it is recommended for hanging plants and small urban parks. Resistant to pathogens and pruning, which must respect the architecture of the crown form. Highly performing but little used tree. The species includes many varieties with great aesthetic and botanical qualities, with round and oval columnar crowns ( c.m. Stricta).

Curiosities and special features

Hawthorn is often used for hedging, the drupes of which provide welcome food for birds and small mammals.

Origin and distribution

Native species from a range extending from Europe to the Caucasus and from North Africa to Iraq.

Leaf

The leaf blade is lobed.

Flowering period

It blossoms from early spring to late spring for a duration of 10 to 30 days, displaying fragrant hermaphrodite flowers with white or pinkish petals, grouped in erect corymbs.

Leaf colour

Solid colour.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 3 to 10 m representing a shrub or a third-size tree.

Lifespan

Small polyannual tree with deciduous foliage.

Where to plant

The final size achieved, the rusticity and the ornamental accent given by the flowers and drupes make it suitable as a bedding plant , rock gardens, large flower beds and road roundabouts, open fields, terraces, green roofs

Stem

The stem, single or with numerous branches in the shrub form, is woody with smooth grey bark; the variety has thorns.

Growth

Medium-vigorous Growth plant.

Plant habit

The developed habitus is erect with open globular foliage.

Branching

The trunk has abundant branching, often starting at the base; the side branches end in thorns.

PH

It prefers soils with a pH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral, in the optimal range of 6.0 to 7.0.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting in mid-autumn or late winter, choose the most suitable location, depending on the needs of the plant, and use a spade to make the planting hole at least one third larger than the volume of roots or root ball, removing weeds and bulky pebbles; also bury organic or chemical granular fertiliser specifically for ornamental plants.

Sun exposure

Exposure in half shade, full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 0.0 and 30 °C.

Use

It is a suitable plant in:

Outdoor ornamental Outdoor Landscape Design Landscaping

Hardiness

Ahighly rustic plant, it adapts to different soil types and growing conditions, even in urban areas.

Soil

It adapts to different soil conditions, however, the ideal soil for proper vegetative development must be medium-textured, well-draining and endowed with organic substance.

Difficulty

Cultivation of hawthorn is easy, with an overall average level of management effort following planting at the new site.

Growing tips

Some specific cultivation tips for best growth and development performance:

Balanced fertilisation Prefers cool climate Requires little but regular fertilisation Correct pruning

Planting

For transplanting, adopt an average density of 350 plants/ha, choosing healthy specimens, free from abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Always identify the planting site in advance in relation to the growth conditions required by the species according to the principle of 'the right plant in the right place'.

Place the root ball in the previously dug planting hole, keeping it well compacted around the root and keeping the plant collar off the soil surface, and then water immediately after planting.

Pruning

At the end of flowering, perform thinning pruning if necessary.

Propagation

Multiplication is from seed or cuttings.

Watering

After transplanting, assist the plant so that it can best develop its root system in the new site by keeping it at a constant humidity free of water stagnation and dryness. After transplanting, prevent water saturation conditions and provide quantities with frequencies and doses that are also commensurate with the climatic conditions during the different seasons.

Fertilising

When preparing the soil for transplanting, carry out a background fertilisation by burying organic or chemical granular fertiliser specifically for ornamental plants. After planting, during the spring and autumn period, apply a balanced fertiliser for ornamental plants to the soil or substrate regularly and in small quantities.

Tip

Plant with excellent spring flowering, therefore pruning in autumn and winter should be avoided in order not to remove the abundant ramifications; possibly perform thinning pruning at the end of flowering.