Crataegus Lavallei Carrierei - Cockspur Thorn

Crataegus Lavallei Carrierei, also known as Lavalle Hawthorn or Carrierei Hawthorn, is a less thorny, more compact variety of hawthorn, grown for its good performance in the garden and highly-decorative looks. This is an excellent tree for smaller gardens.

The foliage of Crataegus Lavallei Carrierei is glossy, dark green, and comprised of long, ovate leaves that are late to drop. In the autumn, the foliage turns to attractive hues of warm orange and deep red. Late in the spring, this tree produces a lovely floral display. The blossoms are white, 5-petaled, and with a red centre, borne in clusters. Following the blossoms, large, orange-red berries appear on the tree, persisting on the branches throughout the interest. The berries are favoured by wildlife and birds.

An established hybrid hawthorn from the 1870s, Carrierei Hawthorn is a reliable performer which does not require much to thrive. Tolerant of most soil types, as long as they are moist but well-drained, this cultivar will be content in both full sun and partial shade. Resistant to urban pollution, this showy tree is a good candidate for city gardens. Suitable for growing in coastal gardens and damp conditions. Able to survive even in the severest European climates, the Lavalle Hawthorn is fully hardy in the United Kingdom. For its remarkable constitution and magnificent visual interest it offers, this deciduous tree has been awarded with the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by Royal Horticultural Society.

Shaped as multi-stem tree, Carrierei Hawthorn requires virtually no maintenance to keep its lovely form, and there is little that could bother it. Rarely affected by pests and diseases, this tree is an excellent choice for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.

Quite small even once fully mature, Lavalle Hawthorn will grow to be 4 to 8 metres high and up to 8 metres wide. As it develops, this multi-stem tree will take on a dense, bushy habit. Offering multiple seasons of interest, Crataegus Lavallei Carrierei will brighten any landscape. Its long-lasting, hue-changing foliage provides texture and vibrant colours for the better part of the year, while the blossoms and the berries that follow them attract attention in spring and autumn. Grow it on its own for a focus of interest in the garden, or add it to a mixed shrub border, paired with evergreen shrubs that would accentuate it.