Green Hawthorn tree - Winter King - Ask Extension
Hello - your page on green hawthorn says, "The native species grows in partial shade to full shade; ‘Winter King’ cultivar grows in filtered ...
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Green Hawthorn tree - Winter King #803676
Asked July 29, 2022, 4:15 PM EDT
Hello - your page on green hawthorn says, "The native species grows in partial shade to full shade; ‘Winter King’ cultivar grows in filtered shade to full sun." I am interested in planting a green hawthorn is a spot that gets a lot of sun, and like the disease resistance of the Winter King cultivar, but I prefer to use native plants. Is the Winter King cultivar native to the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Does it have wildlife value? I want a spring flowering tree that is pollinator and bird friendly. I was thinking about redbud, but was advised they prefer more shade, which is when the green hawthorn caught my eye. Thank you.
Talbot County Maryland
Expert Response
Thanks for your question Lois-
'Winter King' was introduced into commerce in 1950's Indiana (out of its native range), although Crataegus viridis is native to the Eastern Shore/Delaware. We are at the northern edge of the range, with it being more prevalent in the south.
That being said, I think it is more important to have disease resistance with hawthorn considering the widespread cedar-apple/hawthorn rust on the shore. Especially if it is planted as a specimen tree. But it will be a personal decision which is more important to you: having a true native species, or disease resistance (meaning it could still get the disease, just less susceptible). The cultivar should still offer similar wildlife benefits.
More info: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/crataegus-viridis/
-Mikaela
'Winter King' was introduced into commerce in 1950's Indiana (out of its native range), although Crataegus viridis is native to the Eastern Shore/Delaware. We are at the northern edge of the range, with it being more prevalent in the south.
That being said, I think it is more important to have disease resistance with hawthorn considering the widespread cedar-apple/hawthorn rust on the shore. Especially if it is planted as a specimen tree. But it will be a personal decision which is more important to you: having a true native species, or disease resistance (meaning it could still get the disease, just less susceptible). The cultivar should still offer similar wildlife benefits.
More info: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/crataegus-viridis/
-Mikaela
