Let me introduce you to one of my all-time favorite trees for small gardens: Crataegus laevigata 'Paul's Scarlet', commonly referred to as English Hawthorn.
Pronounced kruh-TEE-gus lee-vih-GAY-tuh, Paul's Scarlet Hawthorn sports deep pink, showy flowers in spring, and bright green leaves that turn yellow in fall. In winter, this tree displays plump red berries, making it a showy specimen for all seasons.
Unfussy and well-behaved, Paul’s Scarlet English hawthorn is a reliable, easy-care tree well suited to both front and back yards. It puts on its best show in spring, when dark pink blossoms cover the branches. Highly adaptable, it tolerates a range of soils and thrives in both humid and semi-arid conditions. Its yellow fall color is not overly impressive, but pinkish-red berries persist into winter, providing some cold season interest. Crataegus phaenopyrum (Washington thorn) has showier fall color and more dramatic fall fruit, however, its thorny trunk may make it problematic for small-space gardeners.
A trouble-free tree for the most part, but premature leaf drop can be an issue in cold, wet climates. Maintenance is simple: prune occasionally to remove dead or crossing branches and to maintain shape. Other cultivar choices include ‘Double White’, ‘Crimson Cloud’.
For you "just the facts" folks, here are the basics:
Height and Spread – 15-25 ft. x 12-18 ft.
USDA Zones 4-9
Sunset Zones A2, A3, 2-12, 14-17
Deciduous
Moderate water
Full sun to part sun
Interested in more small space plants? Check out my app, Foolproof Plants for Small Gardens on iTunes or in the Google Play store, where it goes by the name Plant Picks for Small Gardens.
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