Toba Hawthorn
Crataegus x mordenensis 'Toba'
Height: 18 feet
Spread: 12 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 3b
Description:
One of the hardiest of the ornamental hawthorns, vase shaped, requires wind sheltered areas; white blooms turning pink in spring followed by sparse red berries in fall, sharp thorns; Do not plant in areas with Junipers due to Juniper-Hawthorn rust.
Ornamental Features
Toba Hawthorn features showy clusters of white flowers with pink overtones held atop the branches in mid spring. It has forest green deciduous foliage. The glossy lobed leaves do not develop any appreciable fall colour. The fruits are showy red pomes displayed from early to late fall. The rough gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.
Landscape Attributes
Toba Hawthorn is a deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.
This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
- Disease
- Spiny
Toba Hawthorn is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Accent
- Hedges/Screening
Planting & Growing
Toba Hawthorn will grow to be about 18 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.
This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.