Common Name: medlar-hawthorn
Type: Tree
Family: Rosaceae
Zone: 6 to 9
Height: 15.00 to 20.00 feet
Spread: 10.00 to 15.00 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Flowering Tree
Flower: Showy
Attracts: Birds, Butterflies
Fruit: Showy
Other: Thorns
Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 6-9 where this large shrub to small tree prefers organically rich, moist but well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerates a wide range of soils as long as drainage is good. This bi-generic graft hybrid tree will not come true from seed.
Noteworthy Characteristics
× Crataegomespilus ‘Dardarii’, commonly known as Bronvaux hawthorn or Bronvaux medlar, is a small, bushy-headed, intergeneric hybrid tree that was originally discovered as a chimera growing at the graft union of a grafted tree, namely Mespilus germanica grafted on the stalk of Crataegus monogyna, found in the garden of M. Dardar at Bronvaux near Metz, France in 1895. The chimera from this grafted tree featured characteristics intermediate between those of the hawthorn and the medlar. Propagation of this chimera resulted in a new tree featuring genetic tissue from both of the grafted plants (e.g., hawthorn-like flowers followed by medlar-like fruits).
‘Dardarii’ (designated by some experts as C. dardarii) typically matures to 15-20’ tall and to 15’ wide with pendulous more or less spiny branches clad with ovate to oblong to obovate leaves (to 4” long by 2” wide). Hawthorn-like white flowers (to 1 1/2” across) bloom in clusters (up to 12 flowers per cluster). Flowers give way to fruit which is medlar-like but smaller.
Problems
Pests and diseases are a problem with most hawthorns and medlars. Plants are susceptible to cedar hawthorn rust (rust stage where eastern red cedars are present in the area) and fireblight. Other potential diseases include fungal leaf spots, powdery mildew, cankers, apple scab, leaf blight and twig blight. Potential insect pests include aphids, borers, caterpillars, lacebugs, leafminers and scale. Red spider mites may also occur. Use of annual sprays may be advisable in areas where this plant suffers from significant diseases and pests.
Uses
Small flowering landscape tree for lawns or open woodland areas. Notwithstanding disease susceptibility, a well-maintained tree can be ornamentally attractive.