Paul's Scarlet Hawthorn

The Paul’s Scarlet Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’) is a small-sized ornamental flowering tree. It is known for its incredible floral display in mid-late spring of double pink-red flowers that emerge in clusters. The colorful flowers against the dark green, deeply cut foliage really makes the shades of pinks and reds stand out in the landscape. Red fruits in the fall also make for an attractive appearance as a secondary color display later in the season. It has a dense crown of stiff limbs with an upright but irregular branching pattern.

The Paul’s Scarlet Hawthorn was found as a branch sport of an English Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata ‘Rosea Flore Pleno’) around 1858. William Paul brought it into cultivation in 1866 in Waltham Cross, England. This cultivar is unique in its very bright and colorful flowers compared to other cultivars. It does have thorns, making it a bit more difficult to prune. This tree is a great choice as a specimen on its own due to its ornamental value. It can also be used as a hedge or in a hedge wall when planted in groups. It does best in full sun but can tolerate partial sun and does not have a preference for soil type.