Black Hawthorn vs American Bittersweet - TreeTime.ca

Black Hawthorn vs American Bittersweet

Crataegus douglasii

Celastrus scandens

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Black Hawthorn
American Bittersweet

Black Hawthorn is a versatile plant that is native to wetlands and other areas with moist soils, but can also tolerate dry soils. This plant can be grown as a short shrub, or a tree reaching 30 feet tall.

Black Hawthorn is valued for erosion control and attracting pollinators. It also makes an attractive flowering ornamental that can be planted as a specimen or pruned as a hedge. It is commonly used in shelterbelts.

American Bittersweet is a deciduous, woody, perennial vine with striking orange to yellow berries that persist into winter. Indigenous to North America, this vine has become so rare it is now considered a protected species.

Excellent for naturalization projects, American Bittersweet attracts birds and other wildlife. Please keep in mind that the plant is toxic to humans and should not be ingested. To ensure the attractive berries are produced, cross-pollination between a male and female plant must occur.

Black Hawthorn Quick Facts

American Bittersweet Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 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
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium


Toxicity: All parts of plant are toxic to humans
Foliage: contains thorns
Fall colour: yellow to red
Bark: brown to gray
Flowers: white
Flowers: small white clusters
Berries: purplish-black pomes
Berries: red-orange, toxic to mammals
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, ON
Native to: SK, MB, ON, QC, NB
Other Names: crataegus columbiana, douglas hawthorn, douglas' thornapple