In The Garden Now….. Carriere Hawthorn Tree

Lavalle Hawthorn 

Text and photo by Victoria Gilleland

I turned the corner and there it was … a Lavalle Hawthorn Tree loaded with big beautiful clusters of striking orange-red berries.

Berries can be seen from the lowest branches up into the canopy of the tree. The fruit, also called haws or thornapples, is typically held well into February in our area if the birds don’t get the berries first!

Shiny green leaves turn a bronze red and then drop from the tree. Spring brings large clusters of lovely white flowers.

This is an attractive, interesting tree year round.

Hawthorn trees do have thorns but Lavalle’s Hawthorn has fewer than most. Trees typically reach 20 to 30 feet high and 15 to 20 feet wide after many years.

Trees are sometimes used as “Street Trees” since they tend to have non aggressive root systems that don’t interfere with drive and walkways.

When you’re in the market for an easy to grow tree offering year round color check out this handsome option!

(Botanical Name: Crataegus, x lavallei )

Victoria Gilleland is the owner of Cottage Garden Designs, a Garden Design company specializing in Redesign of Residential Gardens, Garden Consultation and Coaching. She has been designing gardens in the northwest for over 20 years.

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