Crataegus laevigata ‘Crimson Cloud’
The Crimson Cloud Hawthorn tree is another great tree to put in your arsenal of small tough colorful landscape varieties. Of greatest significance is the fact that it is the perfect substitute for the very problematic Paul’s Scarlet Hawthorn. Do not consider using Paul’s Scarlet unless you want defoliated trees by early August. The Crimson Cloud Hawthorn is resistant to the leaf blight that afflicts the Paul’s Scarlet Hawthorn. The Crimson Cloud is similar in size and form, and the flowers are equal, if not superior, to the Paul’s Scarlet. Although the flowers might be small, they are plentiful and spectacular in color, detail, and fragrance. Oh, the fragrance!
This tree is perfect for a small up-close garden specimen, or tough enough to be a long-lived street tree. Beware, however, that plentiful flowers attract plentiful bees for a short period of time. The temporary inconvenience (if you believe bees are an inconvenience) is well worth it.
Leaf form is relatively small, ½ to 2 ½ inches long and ⅔ times as wide, with 3 to 5 serrulate, obtuse, or acutish lobes. Lobes are rounded and pointed, cuneate, glaborous, and dark green as described by Dirr. The flowers are a dark pinkish red with a white star in the center, which turn to glossy red fruits of relatively small size, no more than ½ inch long. Form can be a little erratic if not staked and properly pruned in early life. Laterals can become a little leggy and grow in all directions. Some folks actually like this characteristic, which is so different than the predictable maples and oaks.
This Hawthorn is thorn-less. The ultimate size is around 25′ tall by 20’ wide. We have found them to be fairly easy to transplant, and they are somewhat drought tolerant. This tree becomes tougher with age, and I predict it to be a long-lived tree in favorable conditions. The Crimson Cloud Hawthorn is one more example of a little-known and underused tough urban tree that more folks should consider.
As always, let me know your experience with this and other trees in the urban landscape.
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Jim Barborinas
Owner of Urban Forest Nursery, Inc.
ISA Certified Arborist #0135
ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #356
15119 McLean Rd.
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
jim@urbanforestnursery.com
Still curious how Crimson Cloud Hawthorn performs in landscapes or urban planting?
Here are some common questions we hear from people considering this tree:
Crimson Cloud Hawthorn typically reaches around 20 to 25 feet tall with a spread close to that size, forming a rounded shape in the landscape. It grows at a moderate rate, establishing itself steadily without outpacing other small ornamental trees.
Crimson Cloud is a thorn‑less hawthorn with an abundance of deep pink‑red flowers in spring that are not only attractive but fragrant as well. The blossoms are followed by glossy red fruit that adds interest later in the season. Its foliage is relatively small and dark green, and the overall character gives you plenty of visual appeal throughout the year.
Yes — its moderate size and toughness make it suitable for urban environments, including streetscapes and small yards. Being thorn‑less helps make it more user friendly around people and pavement, and its adaptability to a range of conditions means you can rely on it where other ornamentals might struggle.
Absolutely — Crimson Cloud delivers seasonal interest from spring through fall. The profusion of colorful flowers in spring brings strong visual impact and attracts pollinators, while the glossy fruit provides color into autumn and beyond. The foliage and form also add texture when blooms and fruit are not present.
This hawthorn does well in typical landscape soils and is fairly drought‑tolerant once established. Early on, providing proper staking and formative pruning can help develop a balanced structure, especially since laterals can branch in various directions. Once it settles in, Crimson Cloud is a resilient and long‑lived choice for many planting situations.