Hawthorn Seeds - Washington Hawthorn
(Crataegus cordata phaenopyrum) Perennial. Zone 4. Native range—Ontario to E. USA. Rosaceae (Rose) Family. One of the latest Hawthorn varieties to flower, trees are covered with white blooms late-Spring to early-Summer. Adorned with slender thorns 1-3 inches long. Trees can grow 25-30 feet tall with a rounded crown and dense branching. Full sun, shade intolerant. Can tolerate dry to moist soil types, well-draining is best, does not tolerate wet feet well.
The flowers of Washington Hawthorn trees turn into showy red berries in the Fall. A fantastic variety to attract a variety of birds, as their berries are loved by many. Leaves turn shades of scarlet, orange and purple in the Fall. Trees grown from seed can take 5-8 years before producing fruit.
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS
For best results, sow seeds outdoors in late Summer, mulch beds.
If starting indoors...
SEED PRETREATMENT: Seeds require scarification—gently scratch the seed surface with fine sandpaper. Soak seeds in water for 12 hours. Then, mix seeds with moistened soil 4x seed volume. Place in a plastic bag or container.
STRATIFICATION: After soaking seeds, start 60 days warm/moist (20°C), the top of your fridge is a good spot for this, monitor for mold. Next, 120 days cold/moist (5°C), in your fridge is a good spot. Inspect periodically for even moisture.
POST-STRATIFICATION: Sow stratified seeds 3/8” deep. Alternating soil temperatures during the day (warmer than 20 °C) and night (cooler than 20°C) can help germination. Water evenly.
GERMINATION: Generally occurs in 60-90 days.
Stratifying Seeds Naturally Outdoors in the Fall
How to Stratify Tree Seeds Indoors
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Available direct from Incredible Seeds, a Canadian Heirloom and Heritage Seed Company, offering only the best natural, non-GMO, open pollinated and untreated seeds, located in Mi'kma'ki / Nova Scotia.