Black Hawthorn vs Wild Privet - TreeTime.ca

Black Hawthorn vs Wild Privet

Ligustrum vulgare

Crataegus douglasii

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Wild Privet
Black Hawthorn

Wild Privet is a fast growing ornamental shrub that is well suited for forming hedges and privacy screens. It will retain its leaves in warmer climates but drops them in colder areas. They have small white flowers, though the smell is often considered unpleasant. While the berries are inedible, they are a good food source for many bird species.

It is recommended to prune Wild Privet immediately after flowering, as it can readily self seed. It is deer and rabbit tolerant. It can grow in dry areas, on slopes, and withstand the wind making it well suited for many growing conditions.

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.

Wild Privet Quick Facts

Black Hawthorn Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 3a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: If ingested, all parts of this plant will cause severe discomfort. Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses

Foliage: contains thorns
Fall colour: yellow to red
Bark: brown to gray
Flowers: white
Flowers: white
Berries: black
Berries: purplish-black pomes
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, ON
Other Names: common privet, european privet
Other Names: crataegus columbiana, douglas hawthorn, douglas' thornapple