How to Grow Winter King Hawthorn
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Winter King Hawthorn
Crataegus viridis 'Winter King'
treeWinter King Hawthorn is a deciduous ornamental tree known for its dense, spreading habit and exceptional four-season interest. It features fragrant white flowers in spring, persistent bright red berries in fall and winter, and attractive exfoliating bark that reveals orange-red inner wood. This cultivar is highly valued for wildlife support and landscape use in temperate regions.
When should you plant Winter King Hawthorn in your zone?
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Example Winter King Hawthorn timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Winter King Hawthorn
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Winter King Hawthorn
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Winter King Hawthorn dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-8, with excellent cold hardiness and some heat tolerance
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Establishment
Year 1Young tree with thin, flexible branches and small leaf canopy; may appear sparse the first season
Water regularly (weekly if no rain), apply 2-3 inches of mulch, avoid pruning except for broken branches, stake if in windy location
Vegetative Growth
Years 2-4Tree develops stronger branch structure, denser foliage, and darker green leaves; growth rate of 1-2 feet per year
Continue regular watering during dry spells, light pruning to remove crossing branches or develop central leader, monitor for pests
Flowering
Late April-May (2-3 weeks of peak bloom)Fragrant clusters of small white flowers appear in mid-spring before or with emerging leaves; flowers give way to small green fruit
No deadheading needed; allow flowers to set fruit for fall/winter interest, minimal fertilization, maintain consistent moisture
Fruiting & Maturation
August through MarchSmall bright red berries develop through summer and persist well into winter; foliage turns bronze or orange in fall; exfoliating bark becomes prominent
Do not remove berries; they feed wildlife through winter, prune after berries drop if needed, minimal fertilizer, avoid fungicide sprays during fruit development
Dormancy
December-MarchTree drops leaves in late fall; bare branches display exfoliating reddish-orange bark and persistent bright red berries
No watering needed unless extreme drought; winter provides excellent structural pruning opportunity, monitor for winter damage, young trees may need wrap protection in zones 4
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Prune infected branches 12 inches below visible damage during dormant season; sterilize pruning tools; ensure good air circulation; avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer; avoid planting near apples/pears
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Usually minor damage; remove heavily infested leaves; maintain tree vigor; avoid unnecessary pruning that reduces natural pest tolerance
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Spray with strong water jet to dislodge; use miticide if severe infestations occur; maintain adequate moisture to reduce mite pressure
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Remove alternate hosts (eastern red cedar/juniper if possible); thin canopy for air circulation; remove infected leaves; apply fungicide in spring if historically problematic
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Monitor in early spring; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil if populations warrant; encourage natural predators like ladybugs
Uses
Winter Food Source
WildlifeThe persistent bright red berries provide crucial winter food for songbirds including cedar waxwings, robins, mockingbirds, and cardinals. A single mature tree can feed dozens of birds through cold months. [source]
Cardiac & Circulatory Support
MedicinalHawthorn berries, flowers, and leaves have been used in traditional herbal medicine for cardiovascular health. Modern herbalists use hawthorn preparations for heart tonic properties and circulation support. [source]
Jelly & Preserves
CulinaryThe tart berries can be made into traditional hawthorn jelly, syrup, or fruit leather. They require cooking as they are not palatable raw, but yield a distinctive pink jelly with subtle apple-like flavor. [source]
Ornamental & Landscape Value
HouseholdWinter King is prized as a specimen or accent tree for year-round interest. The spring flowers, summer foliage, fall color, persistent winter berries, and exfoliating bark make it valuable in residential and commercial landscapes. [source]
Traditional Ethnobotany
CraftHawthorn wood is dense and durable, historically used for tool handles and small wooden items. The tree holds cultural significance in European folklore and Celtic tradition. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Winter King Hawthorn is not harvested for food in typical home gardens. The berries persist naturally and fall to the ground in spring; no harvest action needed. If using berries for jelly or other culinary purposes, harvest in late fall when fully red and sweet (typically November-December in most zones), though this defeats the ornamental purpose.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Winter King Hawthorn is a cultivar of Green Hawthorn (Crataegus viridis), which is native to southeastern United States; it was selected from a tree in Princeton, New Jersey for superior disease resistance and winter berry retention
- 🌱 The berries can remain on the tree well into spring (sometimes to March-April in northern zones) because birds often ignore them until other food sources deplete, making them a reliable late-winter food source
- 🌱 Hawthorn wood is extremely dense and hard—so tough that the tree's thorny branches were historically used to create living hedgerow fences in Europe that could contain livestock
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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