The name says it all: Crataegus x persimilis ‘Splendens’ is a tree that shines. This particular hawthorn from the Rosacea- family combines an elegant growth form with a sturdy trunk, making it one of the most beautiful and healthy hawthorns. It makes a good avenue tree, can be pruned into shape, but comes into its own best as a characteristic multi-stemmed solitary tree in gardens and parks. It is a biodiversity enricher, not only for animals and insects in every season, but also for people.
Origin and background
The origin of Crataegus x persimilis ‘Splendens’ is not entirely clear. Common synonyms include Crataegus prunifolia, Crataegus x persimilis and Crataegus ‘Prunifolia Splendens’, all of which are not very different from each other. It is probably a hybrid of Crataegus crus-galli and Crataegus succulenta. Plum-leaved hawthorn is native to eastern North America, where it occurs in clearings in deciduous forests, along forest edges and riverbanks. There it often grows together with Amelanchier lamarckii (June berry) in forests of Quercus rubra (Red oak) and Acer saccharum (Sugar maple). The cultivar ‘Splendens’ was probably given in the 20th century to a form with extra glossy leaves and a fairly wide crown. Its descent immediately explains both the robustness and ornamental value of ‘Splendens’: it combines the strong characteristics of its wild relatives with a neat, distinctive appearance.
Natural signature
The plum-leaved hawthorn stands out for its glossy, dark green leaves with sharply serrated edges that give the tree a healthy appearance in summer. In autumn, the foliage turns a spectacular shade of red and orange, making the tree a real eye-catcher. The berries that come on the tree in autumn are also a beautiful red and fall off in October, at the same time as the leaves, if they have not already been eaten by birds. In May-June, this hawthorn blooms profusely with creamy white fragrant flowers in umbels, a feast for bees and other pollinators. The tree forms a dense, broadly flattened round canopy, typically grows about six to eight metres high and eight to 10 metres wide, and features rather hefty, stout thorns - characteristic of the genus Crataegus. Its jagged shape and light grey branches give the tree a characteristic silhouette even in winter.
Application in town, garden and landscape
Thanks to its fairly compact growth and strong characteristics, Crataegus x persimilis ‘Splendens’ is widely applicable. This hawthorn tolerates wind, air pollution, drought and is hardly affected by diseases. Even light shade poses no problem. This makes it particularly suitable for urban applications as well as natural uses. Along lanes and streets, but also in gardens, this tree can be used perfectly well as an avenue tree where the crown gives an attractive image without taking up too much space. It can even be pruned into shape as a block, cylinder or hedge. When there is more space: as a solitary eye-catcher or in a larger group in a natural (ecological) planting or as a whimsical contrast in a sleek modern garden. This is the most beautiful hawthorn to use as a multi-stemmed tree in gardens, parks, but also in containers or on roofs.