Description
Black hawthorn has lovely white flowers that adorn the ends of the thorny branches in the spring. Most often found growing in riparian areas along streams in the Klamath-Siskiyou region, black hawthorn is a multi-branched, deciduous upright shrub or small tree that produces edible purple-black fruit in late summer. It can grow up to 10-30 feet tall and it will appreciate medium to moist soil conditions in full sun to part shade. Black hawthorn also goes by the common name Douglas’ hawthorn after botanist David Douglas. Black hawthorn is a larval host plant for numerous butterflies and moths, such as the gray hairstreak butterfly and mourning cloak butterfly. The flowers are highly attractive to many pollinator species. Black hawthorn is a member of the rose (Rosaceae) family.
Black hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii) seed packets contain approximately 75 seeds per packet.
Seed Germination Instructions
90-120 days of cold-moist stratification is recommended. Sow seeds outside in fall and let nature do the stratification naturally outside, if you have cold enough winters. If you live in an area with mild winters, you may need to provide the cold-moist stratification artificially. For more information please read through the information in our Seed Germination and Propagation Reference Guide.
