Midland hawthorn

Two hawthorn species are native to the UK and easy to confuse: common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna, covered in entry #12) and Midland hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata, this entry). For bonsai care, the two are essentially interchangeable. For identification and ecological purposes, the differences matter.

Midland hawthorn has slightly less deeply lobed leaves than common hawthorn — leaves that look more rounded and closer to apple or pear leaves. Fruits typically contain two stones rather than one (hence the older name C. oxyacantha, meaning two-stoned). Flowering is slightly later. The species is more associated with ancient woodland than hedgerow, where common hawthorn dominates.

For bonsai growers, the practical reason to know about Midland hawthorn is its cultivar — Crataegus laevigata 'Paul's Scarlet', with double crimson flowers, has been one of the most widely planted small ornamental trees in UK streets and gardens since its introduction in 1858. Old garden specimens being removed are excellent yamadori, and the cultivar produces dramatic flowering bonsai when developed.

Beyond the cultivar, wild C. laevigata is a perfectly good bonsai subject — slightly less common in UK hedgerows than monogyna but available in old woodland edges, especially in the Midlands (hence the name) and southern England.

Care notes throughout this entry that differ from common hawthorn (entry #12) are flagged explicitly. Otherwise, refer to the C. monogyna entry for full context.

Identical to common hawthorn (entry #12). Daily through the growing season; twice daily in summer heat for trees in shallow pots. Reduced winter watering. Tap water of any hardness is fine.

Identical to common hawthorn. Weekly liquid feed from late April through to mid-September. Slow-release organic pellets in spring and early summer. Reduce nitrogen from late August.

For 'Paul's Scarlet' and other flowering cultivars, switch to a high-K low-N autumn feed from mid-August through September — this supports next year's flower bud development.

Free-draining and tolerant. Identical to common hawthorn — the species accepts a wide range of substrates including chalk.

Repot every 2–3 years on young trees, every 3–4 on mature specimens. The window is mid-February through to early April — wider than for refined species. Repot as buds swell.

Midland hawthorn tolerates aggressive root work — up to half the root mass on healthy trees. Collected woodland material can be substantially reduced when first lifted. Recovery is reasonably quick.

Identical to common hawthorn — easy and forgiving. The species back-buds reliably on old wood and tolerates hard cutbacks.

Structural pruning in late winter or after flowering. Through the growing season, let new shoots extend to four or five leaves then cut back to two. Pinch every two to three weeks.

The species flowers on previous year's wood — preserve some shoots through summer to provide flowering display the following year. The trade-off between refined ramification and floral display is the same as for common hawthorn.

The species has thorns — wear gloves.

Identical to common hawthorn. Wire after leaves harden in early summer or on bare branches in winter. Bark is moderately resistant to marking. Aluminium for almost all work.

Informal upright is the natural fit. Twin-trunk and clump styles work well. The species' habit suits naturalistic, weathered compositions — particularly fine on collected ancient material.

Formal upright doesn't suit the species. Cascade and semi-cascade are uncommon but possible on suitable material.

Fully hardy across the UK with no protection needed. Midland hawthorn takes whatever the British climate produces.

Hard late frost on opening flowers can damage the display — shelter trees overnight if -2°C or colder is forecast during the bloom period. The flowering wood and tree itself are not harmed.

Never bring indoors.

From seed (autumn-sown, cold-stratified — slow, often 18+ months to germinate). 'Paul's Scarlet' and other cultivars are always grafted onto seedling rootstock. Collected woodland material is excellent and widely available. Air layering works on suitable branches.

Identical to common hawthorn. Mostly healthy but susceptible to fireblight and other Rosaceae diseases.