Meet the Breeder
Jim Zampini
Madison, Ohio
CRUSADER®
Hawthorn
Crataegus crus-galli var. inermis
'Cruzam'
- Extreme durability
- White spring flowers
- Attractive fruit
It’s hard to believe that a tree that’s so undeniably pretty in spring can also be so tough. Despite its abundant white floral display in late spring, attractive silver bark, colorful fall foliage, and showy fruit, this thornless native hawthorn tolerates just about any challenge you can give it. It shrugs off wet and dry soils, is not fussy about pH levels, is unbothered by clay or salt, and resists the many diseases that often plague the rose family, so it’s the perfect choice for difficult urban areas, parking lots, street plantings, and more.
As part of the Proven Winners ColorChoice Trees program, liners, whips, and finished plants are available through the network of licensed tree growers.
USDA Zone 3 - 7
Exposure Full sun
Height 15'
Width 12 - 15'
Finish Time varies with starter plant size and type
Type Deciduous
Bloom Time Spring
Flower Color White
Foliage Color Green
General Care
Soil Tolerates any soil.
Pruning Prune selectively as needed. Note that it blooms on old wood, and that pruning after bloom will eliminate fruit.
Uses Specimen, street tree
Growing Tips Easy to grow. Does not require a pollinator to set fruit.
Features: Alkaline soil, Attracts pollinators, Clay soil, Compact, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall interest, Native, Tree
Filters: Botanical genus: Crataegus, Common name: Hawthorn, Retail program: Proven Winners® Trees, USDA Zone 3, USDA Zone 4, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, Exposure: Full sun, Bloom time: Spring, White flowers, Green foliage
Features: Alkaline soil, Attracts pollinators, Clay soil, Compact, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Fall interest, Native, Tree
Filters: Botanical genus: Crataegus, Common name: Hawthorn, Retail program: Proven Winners® Trees, USDA Zone 3, USDA Zone 4, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, Exposure: Full sun, Bloom time: Spring, White flowers, Green foliage