Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn
Crataegus crus-galli var. inermis
A superior small ornamental tree that delivers spectacular spring flowers, vibrant orange-red fall color, and persistent red berries without the thorns of typical hawthorns. Its dense, horizontal branching creates an architectural silhouette that looks stunning in winter, making it a four-season performer for smaller landscapes. Wildlife love the berries, and gardeners love the manageable size.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
krah-TEE-gus KRUS GAL-ee
Zones
3–7
USDA hardiness
Height
15-35 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 ornamental-tree →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn · Zones 3–7
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: krah-TEE-gus KRUS GAL-ee. Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 20 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 24-60 feet, more than 60 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Small deep-red pome with 1 to 5 pyrenes that resemble the “stones” in related plums, peaches, etc. Sometimes called the ‘haw’.
Color: Red/Burgundy. Type: Pome. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Spring
Edibility: Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and used in jellies, but most people leave it for the birds.
History & Origin
Origin: Eastern North America, Canada to Georgia, west to Mississippi
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Fire
- +Attracts: Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and used in jellies, but most people leave it for the birds.
- +Wildlife value: Important nectar flower for insects; food plant of many moths including the eggar moth; haws provide winter fruit and cover for songbirds. This plant also provides nectar for pollinators. It is a larval host plant for Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax), and Viceroy (Limenitis archippus). Red-spotted Purple and Viceroy rarely use this host plant in North Carolina. Good nesting habitat with thorns providing protection from predators.
- +Edible: Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and used in jellies, but most people leave it for the birds.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Lavender
Repels aphids and other pests while attracting beneficial pollinators
Marigold
Deters nematodes and aphids, attracts beneficial insects
Comfrey
Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, acts as dynamic accumulator
Clover
Fixes nitrogen in soil and provides ground cover to retain moisture
Chives
Repels aphids and improves overall tree health through companion effect
Yarrow
Attracts beneficial insects and improves soil health
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and adds nutrients when composted
Rosemary
Natural pest deterrent and drought-tolerant ground companion
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to hawthorn and inhibits root development
Eucalyptus
Allelopathic properties suppress growth of nearby plants including hawthorns
Sunflower
Competes heavily for nutrients and water, may stunt hawthorn growth
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to fire blight and rust diseases
Common Pests
Aphids, scale insects, spider mites
Diseases
Fire blight, cedar-hawthorn rust, leaf blight