Snowbird Hawthorn
Crataegus x mordenensis 'Snowbird'
Height: 16 feet
Spread: 13 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 3a
Description:
One of the hardiest ornamental hawthorns, highly recommended for small home landscapes; resembles a cloud of white flowers in spring, sparse red fruit in fall, good disease resistance; however, does have sharp thorns
Ornamental Features
Snowbird Hawthorn is draped in stunning clusters of white flowers held atop the branches in mid spring. It has forest green deciduous foliage. The serrated lobed leaves do not develop any appreciable fall colour.
Landscape Attributes
Snowbird Hawthorn is a deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.
This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
- Spiny
Snowbird Hawthorn is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Accent
- Hedges/Screening
Planting & Growing
Snowbird Hawthorn will grow to be about 16 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 13 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.
This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.