Winter King Hawthorn

Winter King Hawthorn is considered one of the top ornamental hawthorn selections for its heavy crop of bright orange-red fruit that persists well into winter, providing striking color against snow and a reliable food source for birds long after most ornamentals have dropped their fruit.

It also offers attractive exfoliating, silvery-gray bark and a vase-shaped, spreading form, and shows notably better resistance to cedar-hawthorn rust than many other hawthorn cultivars — a meaningful advantage in Colorado, where junipers (the alternate host for the rust) are common in Front Range landscapes.

• Mature Size: 20–30 ft tall | 20–25 ft wide
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Form: Vase-shaped, spreading canopy
• Bark: Exfoliating, silvery-gray, attractive in winter
• Flower Color: White, spring bloom
• Fruit: Abundant, bright orange-red, persistent through winter
• Disease Resistance: Good resistance to cedar-hawthorn rust relative to other hawthorns

Improved rust resistance is a real advantage given the prevalence of junipers along the Front Range

Outstanding persistent winter fruit display and bird value

Handles clay and alkaline soils common in Douglas County

Vase-shaped form and attractive bark provide multi-season interest

• Plant in full sun for best flowering and fruit production
• Water regularly during establishment; reduce frequency once mature
• Thorns are present on this species — site away from walkways and play areas
• Structural pruning while young helps develop a strong vase-shaped form

• Thorns present — site thoughtfully around foot traffic
• Occasional fire blight in wet spring conditions
• Some fruit litter as berries drop through winter

• Winter-interest and wildlife plantings
• Front-yard ornamental accent with multi-season appeal
• Sites near junipers where improved rust resistance is valuable
• Streetscape and residential landscape plantings