Washington Hawthorn vs Porthos Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Washington Hawthorn vs Porthos Cherry

Crataegus phaenopyrum

Prunus cerasus Porthos

CUSTOM GROW

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Washington Hawthorn
Porthos Cherry

Washington Hawthorn is an attractive ornamental shrub that is dense enough to plant as a privacy screen. It produces clusters of white blooms in late spring to early summer.

Washington Hawthorn's red berries last throughout winter, bringing squirrels and birds to your property. In the fall, its foliage turns beautiful orange, scarlet, or purple.

One of the most overlooked trees on the prairies. This tree is often used as rootstock, a wildlife attractor, or a boulevard hedge. Give this one a second look.

This species is also known as one of the more salt-tolerant species for those with saline soils.

Please note: this plant is poisonous to dogs.

Porthos Cherry is a cold-hardy dwarf sour cherry that features white spring flowers followed by large, dark red fruit in mid-to-late summer. Among sour cherries, Porthos is exceptionally sweet with well-balanced acidity. These cherries are ideal for fresh eating, freezing, baking, winemaking, and preserves.

Porthos Cherry was developed by the University of Saskatchewan Fruit Program as part of the Musketeer series and released in 2022. They recommended growing dwarf sour cherries as a shrub rather than a small tree. The shrub form tends to bear fruit earlier and is less susceptible to winterkill.

Sour cherries are self-fertile; however, planting with additional varieties for cross-pollination can increase yields.

Washington Hawthorn Quick Facts

Porthos Cherry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: semi upright, compact
Spreading: suckering - low
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Fall colour: orange, scarlet or purple
Flowers: white flowers in spring
Flowers: white
Bloom time: mid to late spring
Fruit: deep red
Berries: small, red
Flavor: sweet with balanced acidity
Harvest: mid to late summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no

In row spacing: 0.9 m (3 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Other Names: washington thorn
Other Names: porthos sour cherry