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Rosaceae
Common Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna
Hope and protection.
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Genus
- Crataegus
- Native to
- Europe, northwest Africa, western Asia
- Bloom season
- Late Spring
- Type
- tree
- Height
- 15-30 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- any well-drained
- Water
- low to moderate
- Hardiness
- 4-8
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Hawthorn is sacred in Celtic tradition and considered a fairy tree — solitary specimens are left undisturbed for fear of bad luck.
- The blooming of hawthorn ('the May') marked May Day celebrations across medieval Europe.
- Despite the lovely appearance, the flowers contain trimethylamine, the same compound responsible for the smell of decaying flesh.
- Modern herbalists use hawthorn berries and flowers to support cardiovascular health.
- Its dense thorny branches make it a perfect natural hedge — it has been planted as livestock fencing for over 2,000 years.
Color meanings
0
hope
1
fertility
2
fairy magic