Description
Scientific Name: Crataegus douglasii
Add a tough, wildlife-friendly native to your landscape with Black Hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii), a thorny shrub to small tree found throughout British Columbia. Its dense, thorned branches and dark berries make it both beautiful and functional.
Black Hawthorn is well adapted to the varied soils of Interior BC, from moist bottomlands to drier open ground. Its clusters of white spring flowers, glossy dark fruit, and dense thorny form make it excellent for hedgerows, pollinator plantings, and wildlife habitat.
Growing naturally in thickets, streamsides, and forest edges, this hardy species provides protective cover and abundant food, forming living fences that shelter birds and support biodiversity.
Features
- Native to British Columbia and much of Canada
- Clusters of fragrant white spring flowers
- Dark edible berries valued by wildlife
- Dense thorny form ideal for hedgerows
- Provides protective nesting cover for birds
- Supports native bees and pollinators
- Ideal for wildlife habitat and living fences
Growing Information
Mature Height: 2 to 8 m (6.5 to 26 ft)
Spread: 2 to 5 m (6.5 to 16 ft)
Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Requirements: Moist to moderately dry, well-drained soils
Moisture Requirements: Low to moderate
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 7
Ecological Benefits
Black Hawthorn provides dense, thorny cover that shelters nesting birds and small wildlife, while its spring flowers feed pollinators and its berries feed birds and mammals into winter. Often planted as a natural hedgerow, this species enhances habitat structure and biodiversity in native plantings.
Please note: As a native plant, size and appearance may vary depending on the season and stage of growth.
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