Hawthorn bonsai (32)

Presentation

The hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a deciduous tree growing wild across most of Italy, prized as a bonsai for its white spring blossom and for the red berries that ripen in summer and stay on the branches for a long time, as can be seen on this specimen. The plant is 49 cm tall, with a trunk showing marked movement at the base and a nebari of 7 cm. This common hawthorn bonsai suits anyone growing outdoors and looking for an already shaped ornamental fruiting species.

Technical features

• Species: Crataegus monogyna (hawthorn)
• Style: informal upright, with a pronounced curve in the lower trunk
• Height of the plant alone: 49 cm
• Nebari: 7 cm
• Pot: round, diam. 31 x h. 9 cm
• Pot material: blue glazed stoneware
• Total weight: 10.1 kg
• Position: outdoors, full sun
• Care level: medium

How to care for it

Keep it outdoors all year round in a sunny spot: the hawthorn needs winter cold for its dormant period and sun to set flowers and berries. In summer, with a shallow 9 cm container and a compact root system, watering should be checked even twice a day; in winter it is greatly reduced, watering only when the substrate dries at the surface.

To learn more about caring for this species, see the complete botanical care sheet.

Frequently asked questions

Are the red berries of this bonsai edible?

Yes, hawthorn fruits are edible, mealy and rather bland, traditionally used in jams and infusions. On a bonsai, however, they serve an ornamental purpose: it is best to leave them on the plant, where they stay decorative for weeks, or remove them after ripening so as not to tire the specimen.

Will I receive exactly the plant in the photograph?

Yes, it is a one-of-a-kind specimen and the photo shows the very tree that will be shipped. As it is a living, deciduous plant, the foliage may look different: berries drop, leaves turn yellow in autumn and the bonsai undergoes maintenance pruning and pinching.

How much space does it need and how much does it weigh once in place?

The total weight with pot and substrate is 10.1 kg, so a stable surface is needed. The base takes up 31 cm in diameter, while the canopy extends sideways: allow at least 60 cm of free width and a height of about 58 cm counting pot and plant together.

What is included

• Hawthorn bonsai (Crataegus monogyna), plant 49 cm tall, in a round blue glazed stoneware pot diam. 31 x h. 9 cm, the exact specimen in the photo
• Plant certificate (identity card of the specimen with species, measurements and features)
• Reinforced packaging designed to protect the plant during shipping