Toba Hawthorne

The Toba Hawthorne is hardy and compact ornamental tree that displays double white flowers that slowly turn to pink. The flowers are followed by small pomes that ripen to red in the fall. These pomes can be made into jellies or used in tea. The tree grows with bright glossy leaves that turn yellow. As the tree matures it develops a sinewy trunk full of furrows and twists.

Description

Description

Additional information
Common Name

Toba Hawthorne

Latin Name

Crataegus mordenensis 'Toba'

Form

V shaped

Life Span

40+

Growth Rate

Slow

Mature Height

5.5m

Mature Spread

3.5m

Flower Colour

Pink

Fragrance

Fragrant and off to some at times

Fall Colour

Yellow

Soil Preference

Moist and well drained

Exposure Preference

Full sun

,

Partial shade

Cold Hardiness Zone

Zone 3

Special Attributes and Considerations

As it’s name indicates, the Toba Hawthorne will occasionally grow thorns. Hawthornes will not thrive on windy sites.

Folk Lore

This cultivar was developed by Morden Research station in Manitoba and introduced in 1967 with linages dating back to 1935. In Northern Europe Hawthorns have long been considered sacred trees and associated with fertility and the home of fairies. The haw in hawthorne means hedge in old english. It was once believed that death could occur if hawthorn flowers were brought into ones home. This may sound overly superstitious, but it has recently been discovered that the compound trimethylamine present in the blossom of a hawthorne tree is also present in the early stages of tissue decay. The wood from a hawthorn tree was a favourite for divining rods.

Available Sizes

40mm

,

50mm