Crataegus chlorosarca Variegata - Hawthorn

The Crataegus chlorosarca 'Variegata' is a variety of Asian hawthorn that stands out for its finely and densely speckled yellow foliage. It is more often considered as a form with yellowish leaves, as the "variegation" is only visible up close. It is a small, deciduous, hardy and undemanding tree with a spring flowering, white and melliferous, whose small berries turn black when ripe. Its bright foliage will be welcome in a hedge or grove.

The Crataegus chlorosarca 'Variegata' is a horticultural selection. The typical species, with green leaves, is native to East Asia, particularly Manchuria and Japan: it is sometimes called Crataegus mandshurica. This hawthorn is characterised by very dark-coloured branches at the end of the season and shallowly lobed, dark green leaves with toothed edges, diamond-shaped, somewhat resembling those of certain maples. This species is also recognised by its sparsely thorny stems and large black buds that are clearly visible in autumn.

The 'Variegata' form was selected for the uniqueness of its yellow-speckled foliage. It is moderately fast-growing and forms a small tree with a conical to pyramidal habit that can reach a height of 4 to 6 m and a spread of about 3 m. Its young stems are stout, warty-looking, slightly hairy, and then become very dark in autumn. The foliage is deciduous, it develops in spring and falls in autumn. The branches have few or no thorns. They are very short, measuring 1 cm to 1.5 cm long. The leaves measure 5 to 10 cm long, with 4 to 5 pairs of short and wide lobes, finely toothed at the edges. The lamina is densely and finely speckled with yellow, giving it an overall light yellow colour. Older leaves are slightly greener. Flowering occurs in May, more or less early depending on the climate. The white flowers, measuring up to 1.5 cm in diameter, are gathered in umbels of 5 to 8 cm in diameter. After pollination by bees, spherical fruits form, 1 cm in diameter, initially red and turning almost black when ripe. They are inedible for humans, but highly appreciated by birds.

The Crataegus chlorosarca 'Variegata' is a very robust tree and highly resistant to cold. It adapts to a wide range of soils as long as they are well-drained. It only fears excessively dry, sandy, or wet soils. A sunny exposure will suit it perfectly, and a balanced pruning in February will be sufficient. With its moderate growth, this hawthorn integrates well into many gardens, whether as a standalone tree, in a free hedge, or in a grove. Resistant to pollution, it is an excellent choice for urban gardens. It can be planted in an ecological hedge, with ornamental apple trees, cotoneasters, wild pear tree, quince tree, or European spindle, for example. This small tree will provide shelter and food for many insects, birds, and small mammals.