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Crataegus monogyna

English Hawthorn · Hawthorn · Neapolitan Medlar · Oneseed Hawthorn

Family RosaceaeGenus Crataegus

White five-petalled flowers with pink-tipped stamens and green centers, with round unopened buds, among lobed leaves
FlowerDidier DescouensCC BY-SA 4.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
treePlants of the World Online
Habit
Perennial, Shrub, TreePLANTS Database
Height
20.0 ft6.1 mPLANTS Database
Flower
PurplePLANTS Database
Blooms
Mid SpringPLANTS Database
Native range
Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy

Growing conditions

Sun
Shade tolerance: HighPLANTS Database
Soil
Adapted to coarse, medium, fine textured soilsPLANTS Database
Soil pH
6.0-7.2PLANTS Database
Moisture
Moisture use: MediumPLANTS Database
Watering
Drought tolerance: HighPLANTS Database

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • Widely planted as a farm hedge: its spines and close branches keep livestock in. Thrushes and waxwings eat the haws in winter and spread the seeds. Wikipedia: Crataegus monogyna
  • By legend, the Holy Thorn of Glastonbury sprouted from the staff Joseph of Arimathea thrust into the ground there in the first century AD. Wikipedia: Crataegus monogyna

Two sources report 10 treatments between them. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 28, 2026 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on December 27, 2025.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 7 days.

  3. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  6. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  7. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  8. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  9. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    20 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 7 run on after germination.

about 15 months from start to step 7. Germination happens during step 7, in 7 days.

70% germination in 7 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Crataegus p. 34Public domain
Show the original text
Crataegus (Rosaceae). C. monogyna germination is extended overa number of cycles. Data is now complete. The seeds were WC for 7 d. Fresh seeds germ. 70-40-70(31% in 2nd w)-40-70(4%), 40-70(4%)-40-70-40-70(56% in 1st w), and 15% in March and April from seed set outdoors the previous October. Seeds DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70-40-70(17% in 2nd w) and 40-70-40-70(70% in 1st w)-40-70(20% in 5th d). It is evident that longer and shorter cycle times and DS times should be investigated, particularly since fresh and DS seed did not give identical behaviors.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Crataegus p. 34. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 28, 2026 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on December 27, 2025.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 7 days.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    4 germinated in this phase.

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  7. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  8. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 15 months from start to step 8. Germination happens during step 8, in 7 days.

56% germination in 7 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Crataegus p. 34Public domain
Show the original text
Crataegus (Rosaceae). C. monogyna germination is extended overa number of cycles. Data is now complete. The seeds were WC for 7 d. Fresh seeds germ. 70-40-70(31% in 2nd w)-40-70(4%), 40-70(4%)-40-70-40-70(56% in 1st w), and 15% in March and April from seed set outdoors the previous October. Seeds DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70-40-70(17% in 2nd w) and 40-70-40-70(70% in 1st w)-40-70(20% in 5th d). It is evident that longer and shorter cycle times and DS times should be investigated, particularly since fresh and DS seed did not give identical behaviors.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Crataegus p. 34. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 16, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 7 days.

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  6. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  7. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    4 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 5 run on after germination.

about 6 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5, in 14 days.

31% germination in 14 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Crataegus p. 34Public domain
Show the original text
Crataegus (Rosaceae). C. monogyna germination is extended overa number of cycles. Data is now complete. The seeds were WC for 7 d. Fresh seeds germ. 70-40-70(31% in 2nd w)-40-70(4%), 40-70(4%)-40-70-40-70(56% in 1st w), and 15% in March and April from seed set outdoors the previous October. Seeds DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70-40-70(17% in 2nd w) and 40-70-40-70(70% in 1st w)-40-70(20% in 5th d). It is evident that longer and shorter cycle times and DS times should be investigated, particularly since fresh and DS seed did not give identical behaviors.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Crataegus p. 34. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 21, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 20, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 7 days.

  3. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 12 months from start to step 6. Germination happens during step 6, in 14 days.

17% germination in 14 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Crataegus p. 34Public domain
Show the original text
Crataegus (Rosaceae). C. monogyna germination is extended overa number of cycles. Data is now complete. The seeds were WC for 7 d. Fresh seeds germ. 70-40-70(31% in 2nd w)-40-70(4%), 40-70(4%)-40-70-40-70(56% in 1st w), and 15% in March and April from seed set outdoors the previous October. Seeds DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70-40-70(17% in 2nd w) and 40-70-40-70(70% in 1st w)-40-70(20% in 5th d). It is evident that longer and shorter cycle times and DS times should be investigated, particularly since fresh and DS seed did not give identical behaviors.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Crataegus p. 34. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 5

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Sow around October 2027 — a date the source gives, not one counted back from a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on October 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Leach in running water

    Duration: 7 days

    Washed and cleaned daily for 7 days.

  3. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Sown outdoors in October; up in March and April.

7 days from start to sowing. Then 150 days to germinate.

15% germination in 150 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Crataegus p. 34Public domain
Show the original text
Crataegus (Rosaceae). C. monogyna germination is extended overa number of cycles. Data is now complete. The seeds were WC for 7 d. Fresh seeds germ. 70-40-70(31% in 2nd w)-40-70(4%), 40-70(4%)-40-70-40-70(56% in 1st w), and 15% in March and April from seed set outdoors the previous October. Seeds DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70-40-70(17% in 2nd w) and 40-70-40-70(70% in 1st w)-40-70(20% in 5th d). It is evident that longer and shorter cycle times and DS times should be investigated, particularly since fresh and DS seed did not give identical behaviors.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Crataegus p. 34. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 6

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 4, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on January 3, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 15 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5, in 7 days.

70% germination in 7 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Crataegus p. 126Public domain
Show the original text
Crataegus (Rosaceae). C. monogyna germ. 70-40-70(31% in 5-17d)-40-70(4%), 40-70(4%)-40-70-40- 70(55% in lstw), and 15% in March and April in outdoor treatment from seed placed outdoors the previous October. Seeds DS 6 m at 70 gave similar multicycle germinations as shown by 70-40-70(17% in 2nd w) and 40-70-40-70(70% in 1st w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Crataegus p. 126. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 7

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 21, 2026 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on December 20, 2025.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    4 germinated in this phase.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 15 months from start to step 6. Germination happens during step 6; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

55% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Crataegus p. 126Public domain
Show the original text
Crataegus (Rosaceae). C. monogyna germ. 70-40-70(31% in 5-17d)-40-70(4%), 40-70(4%)-40-70-40- 70(55% in lstw), and 15% in March and April in outdoor treatment from seed placed outdoors the previous October. Seeds DS 6 m at 70 gave similar multicycle germinations as shown by 70-40-70(17% in 2nd w) and 40-70-40-70(70% in 1st w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Crataegus p. 126. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 8

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 21, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 20, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    4 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 3 run on after germination.

about 6 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 17 days.

31% germination in 5–17 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Crataegus p. 126Public domain
Show the original text
Crataegus (Rosaceae). C. monogyna germ. 70-40-70(31% in 5-17d)-40-70(4%), 40-70(4%)-40-70-40- 70(55% in lstw), and 15% in March and April in outdoor treatment from seed placed outdoors the previous October. Seeds DS 6 m at 70 gave similar multicycle germinations as shown by 70-40-70(17% in 2nd w) and 40-70-40-70(70% in 1st w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Crataegus p. 126. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 9

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 28, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 27, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 12 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4, in 14 days.

17% germination in 14 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Crataegus p. 126Public domain
Show the original text
Crataegus (Rosaceae). C. monogyna germ. 70-40-70(31% in 5-17d)-40-70(4%), 40-70(4%)-40-70-40- 70(55% in lstw), and 15% in March and April in outdoor treatment from seed placed outdoors the previous October. Seeds DS 6 m at 70 gave similar multicycle germinations as shown by 70-40-70(17% in 2nd w) and 40-70-40-70(70% in 1st w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Crataegus p. 126. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 10

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Sow around October 2027 — a date the source gives, not one counted back from a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on October 2026.

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Sown outdoors in October; up in March and April.

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 150 days to germinate.

15% germination in 150 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Crataegus p. 126Public domain
Show the original text
Crataegus (Rosaceae). C. monogyna germ. 70-40-70(31% in 5-17d)-40-70(4%), 40-70(4%)-40-70-40- 70(55% in lstw), and 15% in March and April in outdoor treatment from seed placed outdoors the previous October. Seeds DS 6 m at 70 gave similar multicycle germinations as shown by 70-40-70(17% in 2nd w) and 40-70-40-70(70% in 1st w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Crataegus p. 126. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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