Hawthorn trees, belonging to the genus Crataegus, are common small trees and shrubs known for their dense spring blossoms. While the most widespread wild species primarily feature white flowers, natural variations and popular cultivated varieties also display a range of colors, including various shades of pink and deep red. This variation allows the genus to offer a diverse palette of spring color in landscapes across the Northern Hemisphere.
The Standard Hawthorn Flower Colors
The default color for many hawthorn species, including the widely distributed common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), is white. These flowers form a dense display in late spring. The white petals are typical of the Rosaceae family, to which the hawthorn belongs, alongside apples and roses.
While the petals are often ivory-white, the center of the flower contains numerous stamens, the male reproductive parts, which frequently exhibit a pink, reddish, or purplish tint. These colored anthers create a delicate blush across the cluster of white blossoms, especially in younger flowers. This inherent color detail often gives the appearance of a pale pink cast, even on a variety that is technically white-flowering.
Specific Species and Cultivated Varieties
The most dramatic color diversity comes from specific species and ornamental cultivars developed through breeding. While wild types tend toward white or very pale pink, hybridization has introduced vibrant hues. The Midland hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata), for instance, naturally exhibits some pink-flowering forms.
Selective breeding has amplified these colors, producing popular ornamental trees prized for their deep pink and scarlet blooms. The well-known cultivar ‘Paul’s Scarlet,’ often derived from C. laevigata, is prized for its densely petaled, double flowers in a striking, rich rosy-red. Cultivars like ‘Crimson Cloud’ similarly offer a vibrant, non-fading red, contrasting sharply with the pale colors of their wild counterparts.
Flower Structure and Seasonal Color Changes
Hawthorn flowers are small, typically measuring less than an inch across, and are structured with five distinct petals. They do not bloom individually but are clustered tightly together in flattened arrangements called corymbs. This clustered structure makes a hawthorn in full bloom appear covered in a solid mass of color.
The color seen on a hawthorn tree can change slightly throughout its short blooming period. As white or light pink flowers age, they often deepen to a more noticeable pink just before the petals drop. This temporary deepening is a natural process as the flower nears the end of its cycle. Furthermore, the prominent stamens, which are often pink or red when fresh, may darken to a brownish-purple hue after a few days, contributing to a mottled appearance across the cluster.