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Black Hawthorn

Crataegus douglasii

perennial herb View on Calscape

Care

Sun

full sun, part shade

Water

moderate

Soil

Slow, Medium; Prefers deep, moist, fine-textured soil.

Size

15–15ft tall

Bloom

Mar-May

Flowers

Prized

Edible

Fruit eaten fresh or cooked; traditional Indigenous food

Native Range

Northern California from the Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada foothills north to Oregon, 2000-6000 ft elevation in riparian and mixed conifer forests.

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your black hawthorn in full sun in a location with good drainage - it tolerates both slow and medium drainage but prefers deep, moist, fine-textured soil. Space it where its 1–2 cm thorns won't catch passersby, and plan for it to reach about 15 feet tall. Fall or early spring is ideal for planting in the Bay Area.

After Planting

Water moderately during the first growing season to establish the plant, then reduce frequency once it's settled in - this is a moderate-care native that doesn't need coddling once established. Expect white flowers with greenish centers in spring (March–May) followed by dark purple fruits that wildlife will appreciate. Prune only to remove dead wood or shape the plant; avoid heavy pruning since the plant naturally grows as a compact, bushy shrub. The #1 mistake is overwatering - black hawthorn is drought-tolerant once established, so let the soil dry between waterings rather than keeping it constantly wet.

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